Youth programme leader jobs

About the role
The Chief Programmes and Communities Officer will lead the charity’s Programmes and Communities Division. This division oversees our work with pupils, university students and parents, so that we can support young people from less-advantaged backgrounds to access and thrive at competitive universities. It is also home to our Research and Impact team, who ensure that our programmes are making an impact on the lives of young people and that our expertise is utilised externally to enhance best practice in the sector.

The Chief Programmes and Communities Officer will be responsible for ensuring high quality delivery across our programmes, ensuring we maximise our impact on the young people and communities we support. They will also bring our programmes and communities work closer together to strengthen the impact we have in the places of greatest need. They will represent The Brilliant Club externally, leading the Programmes and Communities Division to sustain and build partnerships with schools, universities and other stakeholders to enable the organisation to meet its growth targets.
This role holder will also be a member of the Executive Leadership Team. They will be collectively responsible for driving forward our strategic priorities, building our organisational culture and supporting the charity’s financial and reputational success. The role holder will report into the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Engagement Officer, as well as engaging with our Board of Trustees throughout the year.

About you
This role will suit a strategic leader with a demonstrable passion for furthering The Brilliant Club’s mission. You will thrive in a fast paced, values driven environment, balancing big picture thinking with a focus on strong operational delivery to ensure programmes achieve measurable and sustainable impact.
The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of programme leadership across a large, multi-disciplinary team.
• An in-depth understanding of the education and social mobility policy agenda.
• Experience of designing, delivering and evaluating impactful programmes within the education or charity sector.
• Experience of working closely with communities to drive change.
• A strong track record of managing complex, multi-partner initiatives, using data and evidence to drive decision making.
• Exceptional relationship development skills, and a track record of forging partnerships with stakeholders in the education and/or wider social mobility sector.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to identify partnership opportunities and secure new support for our work.
• Experience of public speaking and representing organisations at a local and national level.
• Experience on an Executive or Senior Leadership Team, reporting to a Board of Trustees.

Our Charity

Established in 1972, P3 Charity is a modern, forward-thinking organisation providing support services to people facing social exclusion across the UK.

We offer a wide range of services, including homelessness prevention, supported housing, mental health support, community advice, hoarding support and services for young people.

We’re a person-centred organisation who works alongside people to improve lives. We do this by strengthening communities, unlocking potential and creating new possibilities. We tackle challenges others won’t and we go the extra mile. We believe in collaboration – both within our teams and with the local community – to achieve the best outcomes.

Our values-driven approach means we recruit for values and train for skills.

The Role

Are you a strong and compassionate leader who knows Ofsted inside and out and believes great services for young people are built on relationships, accountability and trauma informed practice?

We're looking for a Regional Manager to lead, support and inspire Ofsted-regulated children, young people and family services across East and West Midlands. This is a pivotal role with real influence - shaping quality, culture and outcomes at a regional level.

What We Offer

Enhanced annual leave entitlement – 27 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays.

Commitment to mental health and wellbeing – people are at the heart of what we do; you’ll also have access to our National Wellbeing Lead and Regional Wellbeing Champions.

Paycare health cash plan – you can claim back costs for a wide range of everyday health expenses, including optical, dental, physiotherapy, and more, within an annual limit.

Employee Assistance Program – access to 24/7 GP appointments, 1-1 counselling and health assessments.

Team initiatives – this may include team away days, P3’s Big Day Out and our Annual Awards Ceremony.

Discounts – including the Blue Light Card, Bike2Work Scheme, Paycare Perks and Tickets for Good.

Personal development opportunities – including mentoring, training, secondments, job shadowing and a Colleague Volunteering Programme with 1 day paid leave per year.

Earning Potential – optional overtime and refer a friend bonus scheme.

Please note P3 reserves the right to close this advert earlier than the stated closing date.

The successful candidate must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle. Please note, this post is subject to an enhanced check made by the Disclosure & Barring Services, paid for by P3.

P3 is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to combating all forms of discrimination.

At TLG, we’re passionate about building an exceptional staff team that’s committed to making a real difference in the lives of struggling children across the UK. We’re always on the lookout for great people to journey with us towards our vision, and we’re excited to offer a unique opportunity for a motivated and mission-driven individual to join our Graduate Programme.

An opportunity...

This programme offers an exciting opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in the non‑profit sector, develop essential professional skills, and play a meaningful part in transforming the lives of children and young people.

What sets our graduate programme apart is the real responsibility and purposeful work we release our graduates into - our relational culture and approach to leadership brings significant opportunities for influence. You’ll build on your passions, strengths and interests as you get involved in key areas of TLG’s work, contributing to impact that truly matters.

You’ll be based primarily within one TLG team, giving you the space to grow specialist skills and make a real difference. Your placement will be matched to your unique strengths and interests. Alongside this, you’ll gain wider experience through inter‑departmental projects, enabling you to develop a broad understanding of the charity sector and how different teams work together.

Examples of teams your role could sit within include Fundraising & Supporter Engagement, Marketing, Communications & Advocacy, Programmes, Executive Support & Operations, Digital/IT.

There will be a wealth of development opportunities at you fingertips as part of the programme, designed to accelerate your growth and equip you for a successful career in the charity sector.

You’ll be the driving force in drawing together your own unique mix of diverse experiences to maximise your career development and enhance your impact. Some of what’s on offer includes:

· Potential for a funded qualification or further professional training

· Access to an external coach to support your development

· Potential for external mentoring or short-term external placements

· Opportunities to work with and shadow Heads of Department across TLG

· Dedicated time to visit other organisations and build sector insight

· Participation in the Graduate Programme book club, with input from senior leaders

· Action learning sets and development sessions led by senior leaders

· Access to TLG’s internal leadership and development programmes

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis prior to the closing date, so we would encourage you to apply as soon as you’re able. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Closing Date: Tuesday 12th May

Location: National Support Centre, London SE1

Contract: Full time, permanent

Salary: £40k

Closing Date: 1st May 2026

Marine Society have an exciting new role! Help us deliver and expand our core bursary and welfare services and support the needs of seafarers. You will manage our highly renowned Slater scholarship fund and other training bursaries, together with the Coming Ashore mentoring programme and careers advice and guidance resources.

You’ll be expected to have a good understanding of seafaring training and certification requirements and have experience of working in the not-for-profit sector. A background working in the maritime sector is helpful but not essential.

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.

We are currently looking for a Bursary and Welfare Manager to join our team.

About the role

This new role is to manage the bursary and welfare services of Marine Society. This requires an in depth understanding of seafarer’s needs and the training and certification they require to progress in their careers, both at sea and ashore. The manager will also oversee wider aspects of careers information and guidance and assisting with fundraising activity

Responsibilities

· Assess and process all bursary applications, including Slater Scholarships, Worcester, Hanway and Green Skills bursaries against clearly defined eligibility criteria

· Authorise the award of financial bursaries and approve beneficiary claims and expenses

· Maximise the use bursary funding and ensure successful outcomes for beneficiaries

· Identify new bursary funding opportunities and devise bids in collaboration with the fundraising team

· Manage the bursary and Coming Ashore programme restricted funds. Monitor and report on expenditure and activity

· Manage the operation of the Coming Ashore mentoring programme and ensure its sustainability

· Produce statistical reports and analysis pertaining to bursaries and welfare services for internal and external stakeholders.

· Put in place and maintain online and physical resources that provide seafarers with information, advice and guidance and supports maritime career development.

· To lead the annual Matrix accreditation process

· Work with the Digital Marketing Coordinator to ensure the effective marketing of bursary and welfare provision through a range of media and ensure the website remains up to date and relevant to seafarer needs.

· Represent Marine Society on external committees and forums that relate to welfare, including Merchant Navy Welfare Board and Nautilus Slater Management Committee

Requirements

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualifications/experience
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the training needs of UK and international seafarers including their welfare and certification routes within the maritime sector both at sea and ashore
• Experience of working as team leader or manager in the not-for-profit sector
• Experience of preparing and presenting reports to management team and funders as required
• Ability to use social media and press effectively to inform and promote seafarer welfare and professional development.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.

About Heard
We are Heard, a small, multi-award-winning charity helping people, organizations, and the media tell stories that change hearts and minds. In 2024, we sparked stories that reached a combined audience of 39 million on critical issues like poverty, climate change, migration, domestic abuse, and more. We partner with media outlets like the BBC, Netflix, ITV, and more to amplify powerful and captivating narratives that inspire real-world impact.

The Role
As the Head of Programmes and Impact, you will be a senior leader responsible for the quality, coherence, and impact of Heard's five programmes: All About Trans, Children's Media, Children's Palliative Care, Climate Stories That Work, and Economy. Reporting to the co-ceos, you will oversee programme delivery, strengthen our monitoring and evaluation systems, and build team capacity to maximize our reach and influence. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future direction of an ambitious, purpose-driven organization.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and support the programmes team to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget
• Ensure programmes align with Heard's strategy and intended impact
• Strengthen our monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems to drive continuous improvement
• Manage team capacity and assess readiness for new initiatives
• Provide strategic insight to the executive team on organizational capabilities and growth opportunities

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience leading programmes or services in a charity/impact-driven organization
• Excellent project management and budget management skills
• Proven track record of managing and developing high-performing teams
• Experience embedding monitoring, evaluation and learning systems
• Collaborative leadership style with strong stakeholder management abilities
• Passion for Heard's mission and values, with a commitment to narrative change

Why Join Heard?
At Heard, you'll be part of a brave, caring, and creative team that is committed to making a difference. You'll have the opportunity to apply your skills and experience to drive real-world impact, while receiving support for your own growth and wellbeing. If you share our values and want to be a force for positive change, we'd love to hear from you.

Sound like a fit for you?
See our job pack and visit our website for more details and how to apply!

About Spear Bristol North West

Spear Bristol North West is a partnership between Spear Bristol Trust, St Andrew’s Church Avonmouth and Spear.

St Andrew’s Avonmouth 

St Andrew’s Avonmouth is part of the Church of England, and their vision is to play their part in growing God's Kingdom in their local communities and beyond. They are part of the wider Avonside Mission Area which has a bold vision to bring about the social, cultural and spiritual transformation of their communities in partnership with Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can find out more at St Andrew's-St Peter's Church's website.

You would be employed by Spear Bristol Trust, working from St Andrew’s Avonmouth where Spear Bristol North West is a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians. The Spear team share a belief in a triune God, and we welcome applications from people of all denominations and expressions of Christianity.​ You are welcome to reach out to the Spear recruitment team to discuss this further before applying.

Key Information:

• Salary: £31,000 FTE
• Part-time, 4 days a week - Monday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 22nd April 2026

Informal Call

Assessment and Interview Day: 28th April 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values of Spear and St Andrew’s Avonmouth. A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education
• A dynamic and engaging individual with an enthusiasm for and experience of group and 1-1 coaching and training.
• An entrepreneurial and ambitious individual who enjoys starting new projects, works well under pressure and can translate ideas into practice with creativity.
• Self-motivated with strong leadership, management and organisational skills with the ability to exercise initiative and prioritise workload.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of fun!

About Spear Wolverhampton

Spear Wolverhampton is a partnership between Spear and Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Tabernacle Baptist Church is a large and lively multicultural and multi-generational church located in the heart of the diverse and multi-religious Whitmore Reans area of Wolverhampton. Their mission statement is ‘Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, Make Disciples’ and their current text is “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”. They want to see people’s lives transformed by Jesus. They run monthly evangelism in the community, meet in 8 house groups during the week and run discipleship and other training programmes.

Tabernacle Baptist Church are excited about the opportunity to work with Spear in this new chapter in our church life - helping transform the lives of young people and young adults in Wolverhampton who are looking for work and new opportunities.

The successful candidate would be employed by Tabernacle Baptist Church with Spear Wolverhampton as a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians and to subscribe to their statement of beliefs. Spear will provide an informal conversation to discuss Tabernacle Baptist Church’s statement of beliefs early in the application process.

Key Information

Salary: £13,800

Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm, Tuesday – Thursday, Part-time (with some flexibility and occasional evening or weekend work for events such as Spear Celebrations)

Location: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Wolverhampton

Closing date: Sunday 26th April

Interviews: Friday 1st May

Application: We will not process applications through this page, please apply through Tabernacle Baptist Church.

For more information please read through our Work With Us Information Pack and Job Specification.

Role Responsibilities

Spear Programme

• Support in group coaching sessions of up to 12 young people. Coaching them around skills and mindsets to support them in returning to work or education and equipping them with the skills to stay there.
• You’ll be given all the training needed to deliver Spear through our professional coaching methodology.
• This coaching continues for Spear Career – the 6 months’ worth of follow-up support. You will oversee a caseload of trainees and support them in work, beyond the initial Foundation Phase of the programme.
• Lead weekly 1:1s with a cohort of young people to monitor their progress and support them in their journey to employment.
• As part of this you will help trainees evaluate their progress and determine their work readiness throughout the programme – coaching them through challenges, creating moments of breakthrough and setting goals.

Relationship Management 

• You’ll build relationships with relevant professionals at local organisations, and communicate directly with young people, to encourage referrals to the Spear programme.
• You will support with job fairs, mock interview days and welcoming external visitors to the centre.

Church Community 

• The Spear Coach is directly employed Tabernacle Baptist Church, meaning you are part of a vibrant church team and immersed in an exciting faith community.
• Help to raise the profile of the Spear programme within the church and build a network of supporters and volunteers from the congregation.
• Other relevant ad hoc church responsibilities from time to time.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values and ethos of Spear and Tabernacle Baptist Church.
• A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, both over telephone and face to face, particularly in group facilitation.
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
• High emotional intelligence, a sense of humour and fun!

About Spear Stockton

Spear Stockton is a partnership between Spear and Stockton Parish Church!

Stockton Parish Church 
Stockton Parish Church (SPC) is an Anglican Church in the Diocese of Durham located in the centre of Stockton on Tees. Using Church Urban Fund information, the parish is the 30th most deprived parish in the country. Their mission at SPC is: ‘for everyone to know who they are, whose they are, and the difference they are called to make in the world around them’. 

As part of this vision, SPC is committed to the long-term transformation of Stockton, seeking the peace and prosperity of the town for generations to come. This is expressed through a number of initiatives and partnerships, including the development of the Spear Centre. Spear Stockton forms part of this wider strategy, supporting young people into work and education as a key contribution to the flourishing of the local community.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £24,598 - £26,458 FTE
• Part-time, 3 days a week - Tuesday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 28th April 2026

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: 5th May 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• Passionate and committed to the vision, values, and purpose of SPC and Spear.
• Self aware and teachable with the ability to accept feedback and change working 
  practices as a result.
• Experience of managing responsibilities independently, including prioritising workload and using initiative.
• Experience of building positive relationships and supporting individuals to make progress towards goals. 
• Good organisational skills with the ability to operate as a team member.
• Strong communication including written and verbal communication.
• Friendly, with the ability to build positive relationships and relate well to people from a range of backgrounds.

About Spear Stockton

Spear Stockton is a partnership between Spear and Stockton Parish Church!

Stockton Parish Church 
Stockton Parish Church (SPC) is an Anglican Church in the Diocese of Durham located in the centre of Stockton on Tees. Using Church Urban Fund information, the parish is the 30th most deprived parish in the country. Their mission at SPC is: ‘for everyone to know who they are, whose they are, and the difference they are called to make in the world around them’. 

As part of this vision, SPC is committed to the long-term transformation of Stockton, seeking the peace and prosperity of the town for generations to come. This is expressed through a number of initiatives and partnerships, including the development of the Spear Centre. Spear Stockton forms part of this wider strategy, supporting young people into work and education as a key contribution to the flourishing of the local community.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £27,088 - £31,691 FTE
• Part-time, 4 days a week - Monday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 28th April 2026

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: 5th May 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• Passionate and committed to the vision, values, and purpose of SPC and Spear.
• Self aware and teachable with the ability to accept feedback and change working 
  practices as a result.
• Experience in leading, motivating and developing others, including line management or informal leadership experience.
• Experience of managing a varied workload independently, using initiative to solve problems and prioritise effectively.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage workload, prioritise effectively and deliver outcomes against targets.
• Strong communication including written and verbal communication.
• Friendly, with the ability to build positive relationships and relate well to young people from a range of backgrounds.

About Spear Islington

Spear is working in partnership with Hope Church Islington to deliver the Spear Programme in Islington!

The church’s vision is to bring hope, light, and life to the community of Islington, including in, bringing healing and wholeness to the people of their parish, supporting the vulnerable, oppressed and voiceless in their midst, and providing safe and inclusive spaces for the diverse community that they are a part of.

Spear is a dynamic, growing youth employment charity that coaches young people to overcome barriers and thrive in work and life.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £34,000
• Full-time - Monday to Friday
• 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing date: Wednesday 15th April (we interview on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• You are an active Christian, passionate about your work being a lived expression of your faith 
• You want to help others reach their full potential, and enable young people to overcome significant barriers to employment 
• You have demonstrable experience in coaching, teaching or training and development, as well as being keen to develop these skills further
• You are an experienced and mature leader/line manager, or have great leadership potential, and are eager to bring out the best in your team
• You are confident building relationships with a variety of stakeholders, with effective written and verbal communication skills 
• You are looking for a varied, hands-on role, where you won't be tied to a desk 

About Spear Bristol North West

Spear Bristol North West is a partnership between Spear Bristol Trust, St Andrew’s Church Avonmouth and Spear.

St Andrew’s Avonmouth 

St Andrew’s Avonmouth is part of the Church of England, and their vision is to play their part in growing God's Kingdom in their local communities and beyond. They are part of the wider Avonside Mission Area which has a bold vision to bring about the social, cultural and spiritual transformation of their communities in partnership with Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can find out more at St Andrew's-St Peter's Church's website.

You would be employed by Spear Bristol Trust, working from St Andrew’s Avonmouth where Spear Bristol North West is a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians. The Spear team share a belief in a triune God, and we welcome applications from people of all denominations and expressions of Christianity.​ You are welcome to reach out to the Spear recruitment team to discuss this further before applying.

Key Information:

• Salary: £25,000 FTE
• Part-time, 3 days a week - Tuesday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 22nd April 2026

Informal Call

Assessment and Interview Day: 28th April 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values of Spear and St Andrew’s Avonmouth.
• A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, both over telephone and face to face, particularly in group facilitation.
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
• High emotional intelligence, a sense of humour and fun!

About Black Thrive Global

We exist to change the odds stacked against Black people by embedding race equity into systemic change so that thriving is not the exception but the norm.

Global Black Thrive evolved from the work of the Black Thrive Lambeth Partnership, which was established in 2016 to address the inequalities that negatively impact the mental health and wellbeing of Black people in Lambeth. Black people’s cumulative exposure to negative experiences and poor outcomes are not unique to Lambeth and Black Thrive Global was founded in 2020 to address the detrimental outcomes for Black people of African and Caribbean descent wherever they may be located.

Our work covers all life stages – children and young people, working age adults and older adults. Our guiding principle is to centre the lived experiences of Black communities in all that we do, and our strategic priorities are to embed race equity in systems change and to decolonise the evidence landscape.

Role Description

Following a recent round of successful funding, Black Thrive are looking for a highly skilled and community-focused Research & Evaluation Lead to strengthen the evidence and learning functions across the Thriving Futures – Scaling Systems Change programme. This role is central to building a robust understanding of community needs, mental health outcomes, and the impact of systems change activities on Black communities across our localities.

This position requires a researcher with experience in mixed-methods research and who is confident in working both strategically and on the ground in community settings. You will be responsible for developing and implementing evaluation frameworks, gathering high-quality data, and supporting Black Thrive Global and the localities in their own monitoring, learning, and evaluation capacity. Strong relationship-building skills are essential, as much of this role involves working closely with black led organisations, local leaders, and partners across health, voluntary, and statutory sectors.

You will work closely with the Head of Research and Evaluation and the wider Thriving Futures team to design, deliver, and communicate research and evaluation projects that drive learning and improvement. Your work will combine community-based data collection, analysis, inclusive and culturally grounded evaluation methods, and clear reporting that helps us tell the story of our progress and impact.

Black Thrive uses Asana, Microsoft Excel, and a range of qualitative and quantitative tools to track learning, evidence systemic change outcomes, and ensure the programme remains responsive to the needs and priorities of Black communities.

Key responsibilities

Community-Embedded Research & Evaluation

• Lead on-the-ground community-based research activities, including regular engagement with localities, community organisations, grassroots partners, and residents to understand lived experiences, mental health outcomes, and community-identified priorities.
• Conduct mixed-methods community needs assessments to capture changing local conditions, emerging challenges, and gaps in support provision across priority localities.
• Build trusted relationships with community partners to co-design evaluation activities, ensuring methods are culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and accessible to organisations operating in diverse community settings.
• Facilitate participatory research approaches (e.g., community researcher models, participatory action research, peer-led data collection) to ensure the voices of Black communities are embedded in all evaluation work.

Supporting Community Organisations & Localities

• Provide tailored research and evaluation support to Black Thrive localities who delivering the Scaling System Change programme, including helping them develop data collection tools, outcome measures, and monitoring processes that align with Black Thrive’s frameworks.
• Deliver capacity-building workshops, coaching, and 1:1 support for localities to strengthen their ability to collect, interpret, and use data for programme improvement.
• Support localities in implementing mixed-methods approaches, including the design of short surveys, interview guides, focus groups, observational tools, and community feedback mechanisms.
• Work collaboratively with local organisations to interpret findings and co-generate learning that strengthens community-led decision-making and informs systemic change.

Scaling Systems Change Programme Evaluation

• Lead the development of Scaling Systems Change and support in shaping the programmatic evaluation for the Scaling Systems Change programme, including identifying community-relevant indicators, data sources, and measurement approaches that reflect both outcomes and structural shifts.
• Develop and refine theories of change and logic models in collaboration with programme teams and community stakeholders.
• Oversee the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data related to the Scaling Systems Change programme, synthesising insights into evaluative conclusions and strategic recommendations.
• Track progress on system-level outcomes and community-driven indicators, ensuring alignment with Black Thrive Global’s race equity mission and systems change goals.

Data Collection, Analysis & Insight Generation

• Conduct qualitative data collection (e.g., interviews, focus groups, reflective sessions, community conversations) and apply rigorous, culturally informed qualitative analysis techniques.
• Integrate primary and secondary datasets—community-level statistics, organisational monitoring data, local authority data, and service delivery datasets—into comprehensive evaluations.
• Ensure high-quality documentation and coding of qualitative datasets using recognised analytical frameworks.

Reporting, Learning & Dissemination

• Produce high-quality annual research and evaluation reports, local evaluation and research summaries, dashboards, and accessible materials for community partners and stakeholders.
• Translate complex data and findings into clear, actionable insights tailored to policymakers, community organisations, funders, and residents.
• Facilitate feedback loops and learning events with partners to discuss findings, share learning, and identify opportunities for adaptation and improvement.
• Contribute to internal strategic learning by presenting insights to senior leaders, programme teams, and key partners.

Ethics, Governance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure ethical, safe, and culturally competent research practice, especially when working with communities disproportionately affected by systemic racism and mental health inequalities.
• Maintain robust data governance systems suitable for community-based and multi-organisation research environments.
• The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Personal Specification

Essential Criteria

• Ability to carry out community-based data collection (interviews, focus groups, surveys) and basic analysis both quantitative and qualitative.
• Competence in using basic data tools (Excel) for organising and summarising data.
• Strong facilitation skills for participatory approaches (e.g., supporting in Black community researchers).
• Good written and verbal communication skills to present findings clearly
• Ability to build trusting relationships with grassroots organisations and Black people, community leaders from Lambeth, Haringey and Birmingham.
• Good level of understanding of supporting Black people, including trauma-informed and anti-racist approaches.
• Knowledge and understanding of research ethics and GDPR practices including data protection and data sharing.
• Experience conducting qualitative research (e.g., interviews, focus groups) in community settings.
• Have a university degree or equivalent.
• Understanding of race equity issues and mental health inequalities affecting Black communities.
• Awareness of ethical research practices and safeguarding when working with vulnerable groups.
• Experience working with community organisations or grassroots groups.
• Experience producing clear summaries or reports for non-technical audiences.
• Commitment to race equity and social justice.
• Collaborative, approachable, and adaptable.
• Organised and able to manage multiple tasks.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience supporting community-led research projects.
• Familiarity with basic evaluation frameworks or monitoring tools.
• Knowledge of participatory research principles.
• Ability to use simple data visualisation tools (e.g., Canva, Power BI basics).
• Previous involvement in capacity-building activities (training or coaching).
• Degree in social sciences, public health, or related field (or equivalent experience).

To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) via CharityJobs

This will be a two stage interview process.

The first interview will take place on Tuesday, 28th April 2026, and the second Interview will take place on Tuesday 5th May 2026.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for someone who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our
centre in Norwich.

Location: IntoUniversity Norwich
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until August 2026
Applications close: 9am Monday 13th April 2026
Start date: As soon as possible, to be agreed directly with the successful candidate

Salary

£28,250 per annum

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

About Spear Norwich

Spear Norwich is a partnership between Spear and East Church Norwich!

East Church Norwich

Their vision is to play their part in sharing and reaching the East of England with the good news of Jesus. They are a large and growing church, one church, yet formed of multiple parishes across the city of Norwich. They are a family, journeying through life together, seeking to love God, to love each other, and to love those around us, as we gather and scatter. They gather on Sundays, as groups, communities, teams, and as family to worship, pray, and to open God's word, and to be filled over and over again with the Holy Spirit. They gather to connect with one another, to have fun, and to encourage each other along the way. They then scatter, to play their part in the mission that God calls us to, empowered by his Spirit to live everyday, supernatural lives for him.

Spear is at the very forefront of their mission to bring life through Jesus to all. They believe that every person, whether young or old, has a unique call on their life, and they want to see each person find the purpose for which they have been created. Find out more on their website.

You would be employed by East Church with Spear Norwich as a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians. You are welcome to reach out to the Spear recruitment team to discuss further before applying, although Spear will also provide an informal conversation to discuss East Church's theology early on in the application process.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £22,400 - £25,600 FTE
• Part-time, 3 days a week – Tuesday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 6-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: Monday 13th April, 5pm

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: Monday 20th April

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values and ethos of Spear and East Church.
• A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, both over telephone and face to face, particularly in group facilitation.
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
• High emotional intelligence, a sense of humour and fun!