Youth engagement officer youth engagement officer jobs

This is an exciting chance to join us at a pivotal moment of growth. You will be a natural relationship-builder, engaging schools and multi-academy trusts across the country with programmes that spark real change in school kitchens and food education.

Who we are

Chefs in Schools is an ambitious charity that’s rapidly growing. Our mission is to improve kids' health, through improving school food & food education. We focus our efforts in areas of high socio-economic deprivation, where more than a third of children are entitled to free school meals, and diet-related disease is driving further inequality.

We support and train school kitchen teams to serve the best, freshest and tastiest food possible, alongside meaningful food education. We share learning and resources, aiming to inspire and enable others to follow our lead.

We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and have ambitious targets to ensure every child has access to incredible school food and food education, setting them up for life with the skills and knowledge to feed themselves well.

About you and the role

The purpose of this role is to support engagement with schools and multi-academy trusts by coordinating outreach, responding to enquiries, and helping to deliver our engagement activities. You will work closely with the Engagement Manager to implement engagement plans and ensure effective communication with schools and partners.

You will be supported by the Engagement Manager, Co-Director of Partnerships and Impact, and work closely with the Senior Programme Managers, Programme Managers and Communications team. 

You will support the Engagement Manager to deliver our school engagement strategy, ensuring alignment with our organisational goals and funded programme commitments. You’ll be a key first point of contact for schools and Multi-Academy Trusts, assessing their suitability and needs before referring them to the appropriate programme.

Working with the Engagement Manager, you’ll create marketing strategies to generate interest and participation in our programmes through direct mail, digital marketing campaigns, and in-person at conferences and events and meetings with prospective school partners. 

You’ll help build the engagement pipeline, support onboarding to ensure a smooth handover for training participants and schools to our programme delivery teams.

This role will be primarily based in London, but will include supporting the engagement of schools in locations across the UK as we scale and develop new hubs. You will be joining a dynamic and growing charity who are passionate about delivering exceptional training, skill sharing, expertise and know-how to advance the quality of food preparation, food service and food education in schools.

You will ideally have an understanding of the education sector and have strong people skills with the ability to build relationships and manage effective partnerships with external organisations.

The responsibilities, skills and experience listed below are intended to give you an idea of what we need for this role. If you don’t meet every requirement but feel you would be able to work with us to deliver the majority of them, we urge you to apply anyway. We’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and for us the most important ‘experience’ is passion for our mission. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented communities, to apply.  

We want to get to know you at the interview and understand we can do this best if you’re at ease. We’re an inclusive employer and are passionate about creating a welcoming working environment for everyone. We’re continually updating our DEI policy and have a neurodiversity champion. If you need adjustments to the interview process please let us know.

As we work with children and young people, an offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and DBS clearance, in line with our safeguarding policy.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the Engagement Manager in delivering school engagement plans and activities, ensuring they align with our organisational marketing strategy.

• Help build and maintain positive relationships with schools, academy trusts and partner organisations, with the support of the Engagement Manager.

• Maintain accurate data records and ensure our contacts database is up to date with relevant school, participant, partner and engagement information.

• Maintain and update the engagement pipeline, tracking enquiries, supporting follow-ups, and coordinating the handover to programme teams.

• Work with the Engagement Manager to build upon our current onboarding and customer journey for schools and training participants, developing and improving this for future schools and cohorts.

• Work closely with the Comms team to support marketing of training programmes to schools and school chefs.

• Support Engagement Manager with incoming enquiries, ensuring timely and effective responses.

• Support the delivery of engagement campaigns - helping with content and materials, logistics, scheduling, and coordinating with the Communications team.

• Represent Chefs in Schools at national and regional conferences, exhibitions, and networking events to promote our programmes and mission.

• Coordinate event logistics such as registrations, attendance tracking, and follow-up communications, supporting colleagues where needed.

• Provide administrative support within the wider Partnerships and Impact team.

Skills & experience:

• You have interest and belief in our mission, to improve child health through improving food and food education in schools.

• You’re an excellent writer and communicator with strong presentation and communication skills.

• You have experience of maintaining and building relationships with a wide range of audiences.

• You have experience of using CRM software.

• You have experience supporting outreach or engagement activity, ideally within education, food, charity or related fields.

• You have the ability to listen, understand and interpret customer requirements.

• You demonstrate self-motivation, flexibility and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing, growing organisation.

• A good understanding of the UK educational system is desirable.

Benefits

You would be joining a friendly, supportive team who work hard, but believe in a healthy work / life balance. We seek a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge. Joining a small, collaborative team means you’ll be able to contribute to, and draw on, a variety of projects and strategic insights.

We offer 33 days of holiday per year including bank holidays, 3 additional office closure days over the Christmas period as well as wellbeing days over the summer school holidays.  We also have a Cycle to Work scheme, hybrid working, enhanced parental leave, and free access to the CODE app for discounted restaurants & hospitality venues. We are committed to developing our team and will support you with relevant training opportunities including £250 towards elective training and development of your choice.

We also offer Bupa Dental Insurance, Income Protection Insurance, as well as access to the Aviva Smart Health Platform which offers health benefits including free rapid access online GP appointments, free counselling and wellbeing support.

Application process

In line with our commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we invite candidates to answer a series of questions related to their day-to-day job. Please follow this link to answer the questions and submit your application along with your CV.

We recommend that you develop your answers offline and copy them in when you’re ready to ensure you don’t lose your work if interrupted.

Your answers will go through our sifting process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers. A long list of candidates will then additionally have their CVs reviewed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 30 mins online interview. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a second, in-person interview at our office in Brixton, London.

Expected duration of this application process: 4-6 weeks

In line with our commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we will invite candidates to interview based on their answers to a series of questions related to their day-to-day job.

The deadline for applications is Sun 11th Jan 23:59

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online 30-minute competency based interview to take place on Wednesday 21 or Thursday 22 January 2026.

Successful candidates will be invited to an in-person second interview on Wednesday 28 January to be held at our office in Brixton, London. You will be asked to complete a task in advance and give a 10 minute presentation to the interview panel on the day. The interview overall will take a maximum of one hour.

We are recruiting a Chief People and Transformation Officer. This newly created role involves leading the development of an effective and high performing People and Transformation team and is an opportunity to provide strategic vision for the Trust’s workforce development and is responsible for operational excellence across all people functions, talent management frameworks and employee engagement initiatives.

We are looking for someone who has experience translating organisational strategy into people strategy, implementing organisation-wide transformation initiatives and accountability frameworks as well as leading and embedding cultural change.

The Chief People and Transformation Officer is a member of the Executive Team, playing a pivotal role in ensuring that the Trust is a high-performing, values-driven institution. The post provides strategic vision for the Trust’s workforce development and is responsible for operational excellence across all people functions, developing modern people systems, talent management frameworks, and employee engagement initiatives that attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent committed to Holocaust education. The postholder is also a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO and Board.

Key Responsibilites:

• Organisational leadership, as a member of the Executive Team
• Strategic People Leadership
• Organisational Development and Transformation
• Talent Management and Employee Engagement
• Volunteering and Internship Strategy
• Learning, Development and Leadership
• HR Operations and Compliance
• Staff Management and Development

For the full Job Description, Person Specification, and details on how to apply, please follow the link to our website.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, passionate team at a pivotal moment in our growth. As our Executive Assistant, you will provide vital administrative and coordination support to the CEO, Executive Chair, and Director of Research and Grants. You will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of our operations, supporting international engagements, and helping us deliver on our mission.

As our Digital Communications Officer, you will help us bring our work to life across our digital channels. You will be responsible for growing our engagement and sharing our impact around the world. You will lead day-to-day delivery of our website and social media channels, create compelling multimedia content, and use insight and analytics to continuously improve performance.

As our HyPE Manager you will set up, embed and lead the implementation of Voyage’s Horizons Youth Programme for the Environment, a pioneering employability, mentoring and wellbeing programme combining a weekly Job Club, renewable energy and green-skills training, construction pathways and embedded therapeutic support linked to employment opportunities delivered in partnership with Repowering London, New city College and Talking Quest. 

The postholder will oversee recruitment, delivery and progression impact and outcomes for young people (16–21) from New City College, PRUs, Youth Offending Teams, courts, social workers and local schools, ensuring they are supported into education, apprenticeships, training or work. We are currently exploring expansion possibilities for the long term unemployed, as an alternative to custody and for refugee communities. We seek someone who can help embed the programme in the community college and assist our plans to expand.

Benefits: 39 days annual leave (including bank holidays), company pension

Lead. Inspire. Serve. Transform Lives.

Are you a Christian leader with a heart for young people and a passion for community transformation?

Do you believe in the God-given value and potential of every person?

Are you ready to guide one of the country’s oldest and most trusted Christian youth movements into its next chapter?

YMCA North Staffordshire is seeking an exceptional Christian Chief Executive Officer to lead our mission, embody our values, and continue shaping a movement that is transforming the lives of thousands of young people and families.

With a proud 160-year history and an award-winning campus at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, this is a rare opportunity to lead a charity that is deeply rooted in Christian faith, committed to radical inclusion, and driven by a vision where all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.

Our Christian Vision and Values

YMCA North Staffordshire is an inclusive Christian movement.

Our mission flows directly from our faith and is grounded in four core values:

PROTECT

We provide sanctuary and safety, ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and respected.

HOPE

We see young people not through the lens of their past, but their God-given potential.

PERSEVERE

We walk with young people through challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs.

TRUST

We act with integrity, accountability, and belief in the dignity of every human being.

Because these values are Christian in origin and practice, and because the CEO is the guardian of our mission, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for the postholder to be a practising Christian.

 About the Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead an organisation of 130 staff, a £5m+ budget, and a £35m estate, helping strengthen community through youth development, education, housing, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The next CEO will:

• Provide strategic leadership to deliver the 2026–2029 Business Plan
• Champion youth voice and empowerment in all areas of work
• Sustain and grow financial strength, partnerships, and social enterprise
• Uphold and deepen our Christian identity, ensuring values-led practice
• Drive innovation, digital transformation, and organisational development
• Represent YMCA NS locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
• Be a visible advocate for young people in Stoke-on-Trent
• Strengthen our “village” culture: welcoming, relational, rooted in Ubuntu and Asset-Based Community Development principles (ABCD).

Purpose of the Role

To lead YMCA North Staffordshire in fulfilling its Christian mission, as described in the Associations charitable objectives 

We develop young people; they develop their world.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership in alignment with Board governance
• Upholding Christian ethos, values, and culture across the organisation
• Financial stewardship, compliance, and sustainability
• Community development and partnership building
• Youth advocacy and empowerment
• Oversight of housing, programmes, and impact measurement
• Staff leadership, pastoral care, and organisational culture
• External representation and communications

 Person Specification – Summary

Knowledge

• Housing, youth services, and community development
• Charity law, governance, safeguarding
• Understanding of Christian ministry, mission, and values
• Organisational development and change leadership

Experience

• Senior leadership in values-led or Christian settings
• Track record of strategic development and organisational growth
• Experience working with young people, housing, or community sectors
• Experience nurturing Christian ethos across a diverse organisation

Skills & Abilities

• Inspirational leadership and people development
• Strategic planning and delivery
• Excellent communicator and ambassador
• Partnership building and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to articulate and embody Christian faith
• Deep commitment to Christian values and the Aims & Purposes of the YMCA

 The Leader We Are Looking For

The landscape for young people is changing — and so must we.

We need a CEO who is:

• Faith-filled and prayerful
• Values-driven and courageous
• Relational, compassionate, and community-minded
• A champion of excellence, innovation, and good governance
• Grounded in Christian mission and committed to radical inclusion
• Able to inspire hope, build trust, and persevere through challenge

As George Williams, YMCA’s founder, said:

“You are not alone, and you can be more.”

Our next CEO must believe this not only for themselves — but for every young person we serve.

How to apply

An application pack can be found at the YMCA North Staffordshire website. This role is subject to enhanced DBS and reference checks.

Key Recruitment Dates

• Closing Date: 18th January 2026
• Interviews: Week commencing 9th February 2026

We are a safe recruitment Organisation and an Equal Opportunities Employer, we run the disability confident guaranteed interview scheme.

We are an organisation with Christian values, committed to Equality and Diversity in the Workplace. YMCA is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

About the Project

The National Lottery funded Meddwl Ymlaen Mind Our Future project is led by The Venture on behalf of the North East Wales partnership. The aim is to empower young people aged 11 to 24 to shape mental health services across Wrexham and Flintshire. Young people will co develop and influence policy, processes and services that affect their mental wellbeing.

Overview of the Role

The Senior Youth Engagement Officer will lead the youth engagement and co production elements of the project. A key part of the role is to lead and facilitate the Young Leaders Advisory Board (YLAB), made up of 11 to 24 year olds who guide the direction of the project. The post holder will support their leadership development, confidence and decision making.

The role also includes developing a strategy to recruit and engage more young people, delivering a calendar of youth led events, and ensuring young voices shape all aspects of the project. The officer will represent Mind Our Future in meetings with stakeholders and support young people recruited into paid roles within the project.

Main Duties

• Lead and facilitate the YLAB, plan and chair meetings, and support members to take an active leadership role.
• Recruit and engage a diverse group of young people to join the YLAB and ensure the group reflects the communities of Wrexham and Flintshire.
• Provide mentoring, coaching and personal development opportunities for young people involved.
• Co design project activities with young people, ensuring their voices guide decisions, planning and evaluation.
• Organise workshops, events and activities and ensure all logistics are managed effectively.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and communicate project updates.
• Recruit and support young people in paid roles within the project, including training, mentoring and ongoing support.
• Act as the designated safeguarding lead for the project including implementing safeguarding procedures, providing guidance, and liaising with authorities when required.
• Contribute to overall project success through planning, evaluation and collaborative teamwork.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality and equality across all work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential
• Minimum Level 3 qualification in Youth Work
• Clean UK driving licence
• Level 3 safeguarding children in Wales qualification
• Significant experience in a Safeguarding Lead or equivalent role

Desirable
• Diploma or degree in mental health, particularly relating to children and young people
• Health and Safety training

Skills and Abilities

Essential
• Strong communication skills in English
• Experience working with young people and young adults
• Empathy and ability to connect with young people
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Good IT skills including digital communication and online working
• Ability to produce quality reports and presentations
• Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders and motivate young people
• Ability to work collaboratively and create a positive environment
• Ability to travel throughout Wrexham, Flintshire and occasionally across Wales
• Ability to meet deadlines and targets

Desirable
• Welsh language skills
• Ability to adapt communication styles for different needs (for example Makaton)

Experience and Knowledge

Essential
• Significant safeguarding experience
• Knowledge of youth work and youth development
• Understanding of monitoring and evaluation in a youth work setting
• Awareness of youth sub cultures and social media
• Experience of youth participation or consultation
• Understanding of professional boundaries
• Experience implementing Health and Safety and Equalities processes
• Knowledge of Youth Work in Wales: Principles and Purposes and related frameworks
• Knowledge of Data Protection and GDPR
• Understanding of the importance of Welsh language and culture

Desirable
• Experience of co production
• Experience working with diverse groups of young people
• Experience working with varied abilities
• Partnership working experience
• Project management experience or transferable skills

Personal Qualities

Essential
• Trustworthiness
• Commitment to professional development
• Commitment to equality and challenging discrimination
• Integrity, discretion and strong personal drive
• Ability to problem solve and work under pressure
• Compassion and patience
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills
• Genuine care for supporting others
• Fun, engaging and adventurous attitude

Other Requirements

• Ability to carry equipment between locations
• Frequent evening and weekend work will be required
• Enhanced DBS check required

This is a fantastic opportunity to build and grow Molly Rose Foundation's lived engagement and youth programmes, and to push for a safer online world driven by the needs and perspectives of lived experience.

Working at the intersect of tech accountability, online safety and suicide prevention, Molly Rose Foundation was founded following the death of 14-year old Molly Russell.

Today we’re committed to building and amplifying the voices of those with lived experiences of online harm – and to challenging government, regulators and tech firms to listen to and act decisively on what they have to say.

MRF is grounded in youth and lived experience, and we will always ensure the lessons of Molly's death act as a catalyst for positive change. You’ll help us maintain and grow our networks to build and amplify the voices of youth, bereaved parents and young people directly impacted by harms, and have a track record in working in partnership across the sector.

As Lived Engagement and Youth Manager you'll build strong internal and external relationships and ensure lived experience and youth runs through everything we do.

You'll manage day-to-day relationships with youth and lived experience advocates and have a strong focus on safeguarding and trauma-informed practice.

This is a rare opportunity to build a lived experience programme that really counts. We’re looking for an exceptional individual who’s motivated by the chance to really make a difference. Your work will help to ensure that tomorrow’s young people live long and stay strong.

MRF is committed to flexible working and we know that a diverse team makes us stronger. While we are recruiting for a full-time position, we will actively consider part-time and flexible working requests.

Please submit your CV and a cover letter, no more than two sides each, to apply for this role. Please refrain from overly relying on AI in your application. 

The Support Officer’s key objective is to enable Mermaids to deliver exceptional, high-quality services by providing effective operational, administrative and coordination support. Working closely with the Operations Manager and across the Communities, Youth, Support Line and Training teams, the role will ensure smooth day-to-day operations, strong communication, accurate systems and consistent quality standards. By increasing organisational capacity and supporting continuous improvement, the Support Officer will allow frontline teams to focus on what matters most; delivering positive impact for the people and communities we serve. 

The Senior Evidence & Evaluation Manager sits within the Impact & Evidence directorate at the heart of Youth Futures Foundation.

You will play a central role in building the evidence base on what works to support young people into good jobs.

Working with three Heads of Evaluation, the Deputy Director and the Director, you will help ensure our evaluations are designed to generate credible evidence of what works.

• You will work closely with independent evaluators and delivery partners and colleagues in our Programmes & Grants and Policy & Communications directorates, you will assess the evaluability of interventions, and lead the design and delivery of large-scale, complex impact evaluations.
• You will manage a portfolio of projects, leading some directly, and overseeing others while supporting more junior colleagues.
• You will also contribute to strengthening our ‘evaluation architecture’, leading projects that enhance data infrastructure and access to administrative datasets, and set standards for methodological rigour in the sector.

This role can be based at our Birmingham, Leeds or London hub. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

For more information on this role, please download our recruitment pack.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

We’re looking for someone to help us double the number of children and young people in our churches and build flourishing intergenerational communities of faith.

You will

· lead our strategy in this area, helping to equip and resource clergy, lay leaders and volunteers

· Recruit and support new children, young people and families’ ministers and missioners to our diocesan network

· Develop ways to build strong partnerships between church, school, and home as a core driver of mission

You will be:

· A committed Christian with a deep passion for the spiritual growth of children and young people.

· A strategic thinker who can turn vision into action and inspire others.

· Experienced in leading change and developing leaders in complex contexts.

The Beyond Food Foundation is looking for an inspirational Food Engagement Lead.

Our programmes are built around the kitchen and dining table, you will work closely with our Head Training and Events Chef, CEO and Programme manager to craft sessions, workshops and experiences to leverage the power of food for changing lives.

A key role within the charity, the Food Engagement Lead will help the charity to deliver its strategic aims, being part of an exciting and dynamic team who change lives every day.  You will bring an in depth knowledge of nutrition, food science and eating for wellbeing to the table. Using this to deliver training and activities  which help people to engage with cooking,  fresh food and a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Training, workshop facilitation, dietician expereince or nutritional coaching skills or experience would be a major plus. 

£36,000/ 39,000 p/a   40 hrs P/W, between E6 Beckton and Central London locations

40hrs per week - Monday - Friday. 

28 Days annual leave + bank holidays.

This role requires regular in-person engagement in London. Applicants must be able to travel to and work in London easily. Please only apply if you meet the criteria of the Personal Specification. Qualified ISVA's only please. 

About us

SurvivorsUK exists for men, boys and non-binary people who have experienced any form of sexual violence. 

We support – by providing services such as a helpline, counselling, ISVA and groupwork.
We challenge – by raising public awareness of the issue, and dispelling myths
We build – by creating and facilitating networks for better access to help

Role

In this role, you will provide pro-active specialist, trauma-informed emotional, practical and advocacy support for male, trans and non-binary survivors aged 13–24 who have experienced sexual violence and are currently engaged with, or actively considering engaging with, the Criminal Justice System (CJS). This includes young people who present with additional or intersecting needs (e.g. mental health, neurodiversity, disability, immigration, homelessness, substance use, care-experienced backgrounds, or LGBTQIA+ identity). The role empowers young people to understand their rights, navigate the CJS, and make informed decisions about reporting, ongoing involvement, and special measures.

Our ISVAs work with clients currently residing in any London borough, or if the abuse was committed in any London borough. Travel across London will be expected.

We consider people from a wide range of educational backgrounds and work experience. What matters is that you are empathetic and will support the specific needs of our clients.

Please see attached Job Description and Personal Specification for more information.

Benefits of Working with Us

- We are a Disability Confident Employer
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to Clinical Supervision, if relevant for your role
- Acces to gym at our Hackney Wick offices
- Commitment to your professional development

How to apply

To express an interest in the role and to be considered, please review our JD and Personal Spec and submit the following:

• An up-to-date CV.
• A supporting statement that addresses each requirement within the person specification and outlines your motivations for applying.

Closing date: Sunday 4th January at 11:59pm 
Shortlisting for Interviews: Week beginning the 5th January. The interview will be held remotely via Teams or Zoom.

We especially encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including men, non-binary, Black and Asian, trans, disabled people, and those from other marginalised groups. We recognise and value the unique experiences that arise from the intersections of these identities, and we particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience or a strong understanding of the issues faced by our service users.

At SurvivorsUK, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone is empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We also understand the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including job share opportunities, to support candidates with caregiving responsibilities or other needs.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process or have any accessibility needs, please let us know. We are here to provide any support necessary to ensure the process is inclusive for you.

Voyage is seeking a part‑time, income‑focused and results‑driven Head of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships to help secure long‑term, diversified investment for our youth leadership programmes, with a particular emphasis on trusts and foundations, business development and strategic partnerships in the CSR youth, heritage and environmental space.

We are therefore seeking an experience professional who has a great production understanding of the role fund raising plays in shaping applications and grants. We therefore seek someone who can equally sit across trusts and foundations, business development and partnership building and help Voyage move from “opportunity‑led” to strategic, long‑term income growth.