Widening participation officer jobs
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Head of Sector Development
Full Time: 35 hours per week | £55,500pa | Hybrid | Closing Date 7th August 2025
Job Reference: HSD02 (Please quote this on any correspondence)
Headline: Help shape sector development for the UK’s professional body for libraries, information, and knowledge management
The role
We are seeking an experienced and strategic professional to join us as Head of Sector Development. This pivotal leadership role will drive the delivery and growth of our professional services, shaping how the profession attracts, develops, and retains talent. You will play a critical role in ensuring CILIP continues to set the standard in professional development, assessment, and workforce support, enhancing the value we offer to members, employers, learning providers, and wider stakeholders.
What you’ll be responsible for:
As Head of Sector Development, you will lead a high-performing team to deliver and evolve a portfolio of services that support career progression, professional registration, accreditation, training, and sector-wide standards. You will take ownership of the Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB), ensuring it remains relevant, robust, and at the heart of our service offer. You will work closely with learning and employer partners, member networks, and other professional communities to strengthen talent pathways, while ensuring that our services are accessible, inclusive, and aligned with market need.
You will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the sector development function, reporting on its impact and outcomes, and driving commercial growth through effective product design and service delivery. This includes the development of a scalable training offer, effective use of digital platforms, and innovation in content packaging. Your leadership will ensure that quality assurance standards are upheld across all services, while also championing the importance of professionalism and ethical practice throughout the sector.
What we’re looking for
You will bring significant experience from within the library, information, or knowledge management field, alongside deep knowledge of the professional development landscape. Your expertise will include developing competency frameworks, managing accredited programmes, and designing services that support career-long learning and progression. You will be confident working with regulatory requirements and quality standards, and able to use market intelligence and internal data to inform strategic decisions.
As a leader, you will be values-driven, collaborative, and commercially minded. You’ll be an effective communicator with the presence and credibility to represent CILIP at senior levels. You’ll bring a strong understanding of inclusive practice and a proven ability to develop services that are accessible and relevant to a diverse profession. Most importantly, you will be passionate about professional development, driven by impact, and committed to strengthening the role of the sector in society.
Why join us?
We’re on an exciting journey to transform how we work, what we offer, and how we serve our members and partners. You’ll play a central role in shaping this future, leading change, driving innovation, and helping ensure CILIP thrives in a rapidly evolving sector.
If you're an inclusive, strategic leader who thrives on innovation, people leadership, and delivering measurable impact, we’d love to hear from you.
About CILIP
CILIP is the leading voice for the information, knowledge management and library profession. We are here for everyone who has a professional connection to information, knowledge, data and libraries, and shares our belief in their power to change lives.
Our purpose is to unite, support and empower information professionals across all sectors.
What we do:
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD): We will deliver high-quality CPD events and training that enable our members to enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise.
- Membership services: We will provide excellent membership services that support our members and enable them to maximise their membership benefits.
- Professional standards: We will uphold and develop professional standards that promote excellence in libraries, information and knowledge management.
- Content and publishing: We will deliver high-quality books, journals, magazines, and other content that enables our members to improve their skills and develop their expertise.
- Advocacy: We will advocate for the value of our profession and the important role of our members in organisations and society.
- Research and development: We will work in collaboration to deliver R&D programmes which advance our strategic goals.
Benefits of working for CILIP:
- Work alongside passionate, mission-driven professionals.
- Enjoy a flexible, supportive, and inclusive working environment.
- Generous pension and death-in-service entitlement.
- 28 days paid leave per year, plus bank holidays and an additional 3 days leave between Christmas and New Year.
- Perkbox employee discounts.
- Enhanced sick pay, maternity, paternity, adoption and carer’s leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
How to apply:
Please submit a letter of application outlining how you meet the criteria and why you are the right fit for this role.
For full details, please refer to the attached role description and person specification (on our website).
To express your interest or arrange a confidential conversation, please contact our HR department,
Closing date: Applications should be submitted by midnight on Thursday 7th August 2025 with shortlisting taking place on Monday 11th August.
Interviews: Will be held week commencing 25th August 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Merton College is one of the oldest and most beautiful colleges within the University of Oxford, tucked away behind the High Street, with stunning meadow views but within easy reach of other University buildings and the city centre. The College has a vibrant, diverse, inclusive community with an exceptional record of academic success.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, effective communicator with a passion for outreach to join us as our Schools Liaison and Access Officer. This could be an ideal role for someone who is looking to begin a career in outreach or higher education or someone with a background in education who is seeking to change their career.
The purpose of the role
The Schools Liaison and Access Officer will play a vital role in Merton’s work to attract academically talented applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and in helping to increase the proportions of students from groups who are currently under-represented in Oxford. This is an exciting opportunity for a well-organised individual to play an integral part in developing and delivering the College’s access and outreach strategy, working with prospective and current students, schools, academic and administrative colleagues, and a range of other stakeholders.
The post holder manages the planning, coordination, and delivery of all aspects of the College’s outreach and access initiatives for schools, colleges, and prospective applicants. The role covers aspects of recruitment and widening access to Oxford specifically and widening participation to higher education in general.
Our excellent benefits
The post holder is eligible for membership of the University of Oxford Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS), which is a contributory scheme; free medical insurance (which is assessable as a taxable benefit); 30 days’ holiday per year (excluding bank holidays); free car parking, cycle to work and electric car schemes and loans for the purchase of seasonal travel passes. The College has a gym, which is free to use for staff, and there are a number of organised activities, such as yoga and circuit training, that are also free for staff. Meals in College are provided free of charge when on duty. The College will pay for membership of the relevant professional body, HELOA (Higher Education Liaison Officers’ Association).
For further information and to apply, please visit the Merton College website.
Closing date: 9.00am on Wednesday, 16th July 2025.
Interview date: w/c 11th August 2025.
Merton College is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The College is committed to promoting diversity and would therefore particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as well as other under-represented groups.
The Hg Foundation is recruiting a new Programme Officer to support our vision for the tech workforce of the future to harness the talents of all, regardless of their background. We help underrepresented groups to access high quality jobs in tech by supporting education and employment-based programmes across the UK, Europe and North America. Since 2020, we've committed $40m across 40+ partnerships, supporting over 70,000 young people and adults. This newly created role offers an excellent opportunity to begin or advance your career in the non-profit and social mobility sector.
As Programme Officer, you'll play a vital role in our ambitious growth plans for the centrally managed mA*ths Online Programmes, supporting their delivery across four leading universities. The remaining time will be split between assisting with our STEM Education partnerships and other strategic initiatives, including scoping and research, the set up and management of new partnerships, communications and collaboration across our network.
We're looking for someone with 1-2 years of workplace experience who brings a positive attitude, strong organisational and administrative skills and the ability to pursue tasks logically and independently. You'll need an analytical mindset, excellent written communication, plus a genuine commitment to creating fairer chances in tech.
No previous non-profit experience is required, as the role is an opportunity to learn about the foundation sector - but the role could suit someone who has supported outreach, widening participation, charity or volunteering initiatives, or has an interest in supporting underrepresented groups to succeed in education and employment.
Further information about the role including salary and benefits can be found in the application pack. The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 14 July 2025.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for a Survivor Engagement Officer to join our team and help strengthen the meaningful involvement of victim-survivors in all aspects of SEA’s work.
About the role
We are looking for a Survivor Engagement Officer to join our team and help strengthen the meaningful involvement of victim-survivors in all aspects of SEA’s work.
A core part of this role is building and sustaining trusted relationships with by-and-for and community-led organisations to support outreach, engagement, and the inclusive recruitment of survivors from Black and minoritised communities and other marginalised groups. We are particularly keen to receive applications from Black and minoritised women, and/or applicants with strong experience working with these communities.
You will also support the coordination and facilitation of SEA’s Experts by Experience Group (EEG), moderate our online Survivor Forum, and contribute to delivering our Survivor Engagement Strategy. You will help ensure that survivor voices - especially those from underrepresented communities - shape our services, policy and communications work.
You would be joining SEA at an exciting time, as we strengthen our approaches to inclusive survivor engagement and implement a new strategy to widen participation and reach.
About you
You will be a skilled relationship-builder with strong experience of working with Black and minoritised communities and/or community-led organisations.
You will have excellent communication and facilitation skills, and experience supporting or engaging survivors and/or marginalised groups in a trauma-informed and inclusive way.
You will bring a strong understanding of anti-discriminatory and survivor-centred practice, and a commitment to widening participation in systems change work.
Experience supporting collaborative engagement projects or survivor groups would be desirable, as would experience moderating online spaces or forums.
About SEA
Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is the only charity in the UK dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and transforming responses to it. All our work is informed by Experts by Experience – a group of women who speak about what they have gone through so that they can be a force for change. Economic abuse occurs when someone’s partner controls (through restriction, exploitation and/or sabotage) how they acquire, use and maintain economic resources such as accommodation, food, clothing and transportation.
What we offer
- 25 days annual leave, plus 5 Wellbeing Days and Statutory Bank Holidays
- Home working (UK based) with regular UK travel
- Flexible working
- 5% Employer Pension Contribution
- Reflective practice
- Health Cash Plan, including Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced sick pay, family leave and carer’s leave
- The chance to be part of our highly professional, supportive team
To apply
To find out more about the role, or to apply, please visit our website using the link below.
Applications open from 23 June 2025 and close at 11.59pm on 13 July 2025. Interviews will take place virtually, on 30th July & 4th August 2025.
This post is only open to women applicants, as being a woman is considered a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Direct applications only – no agencies please.
Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is committed to developing an inclusive team which reflects the diversity of the communities we support. Our culture celebrates diverse voices, and we particularly encourage applications from Black and minoritised applicants and disabled applicants who are under-represented at SEA.
SEA is a Disability Confident Committed, and Kinship Friendly Employer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week
Area of work: Predominantly in the London area
Are you passionate about connecting people with nature and empowering communities to protect rivers? Do you have experience delivering engaging volunteering and citizen science programmes that inspire real environmental action? Join us and play a pivotal role in restoring London’s rare urban chalk streams.
About the Role
SERT’s ambition is to reach as many people as possible in the South East, to teach and show them the importance of rivers in the environment, and how everyone can play a part in restoring them. We also want to be more reflective of the diverse communities who live in the South East, and build partnerships within these communities to reach a broader audience.
This role will lead the development and delivery of volunteering and community outreach activities that connect people with their local rivers. Activities will include practical volunteering such as river clean-ups, planting days, and invasive species control, as well as citizen science, guided walks, and community workshops.
A key focus of the role is supporting the Chalk Streams in the City project - a major initiative to restore London’s rare urban chalk streams through community involvement. The postholder will help shape and deliver a programme of inclusive and engaging opportunities that inspire people to care for these unique and threatened habitats.
This project is made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
Working at the South East Rivers Trust is rewarding, fulfilling and fast-paced. We collaborate with energy and professionalism, guided by our values of delivering high-quality work, using expertise and science, building strong relationships, and bringing positivity and integrity to everything we do. If this sounds like the right environment for you - we’d love to hear from you.
Please see the full Volunteering and Engagement Officer job descriptions for more information.
How to apply:
Please send us the following documents, more information can befound on our website.
- Your CV
- a completed application form
- Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (optional)
The deadline for application is 11:59pm on Sunday 20th July 2025. We reserve the right to close the recruitment early.
Interviews will be potentially w.c. 28th July 2025.
We help rivers thrive again for communities and nature.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.