Youth programmes manager jobs in Edinburgh

About This Job

Are you passionate about digital transformation and supporting the delivery of impactful projects? As a Software Developer within Cadet Digital Services, you will play a vital role in ensuring the successful development and maintenance of digital applications, primarily the Westminster MIS platform.

Working as part of a collaborative digital delivery team alongside a Solutions Architect, the developer will deliver well-structured, secure solutions in line with MOD digital and security standards, supporting the effective delivery of cadet activities across the UK.

You will have the opportunity to engage with volunteers and staff nationwide, delivering support through a mix of in-person sessions, webinars, and online learning resources.

If you thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, enjoy problem-solving, and are keen to make a difference in the digital landscape of the Cadet Forces, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

· Develop and maintain application components using Oracle APEX, PL/SQL, and related technologies.

· Implement user interface elements and application logic in line with existing designs and patterns.

· Collaborate closely with your product owner, testers, and other team members to understand requirements and contribute to user-focused solutions.

· Participate fully in Agile ceremonies (daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives) and work within agreed sprint commitments.

· Apply established MOD standards for security, accessibility, and performance across all development tasks. Take part in estimating, code reviews, testing, and documentation to support quality and maintainability.

· Contribute ideas for improvements and raise technical issues through the team’s established processes.

· Resolve bugs and minor enhancements raised by the Service Operations Team, prioritised and assigned to sprints as part of the development workflow.

· Suggest improvements and raise technical issues through established team processes.

· Continue developing knowledge of Oracle APEX and best practices through day-to-day delivery and supported learning.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for further information.

Our charity

ACCT UK is a national youth charity dedicated to improving the life chances of young people. The Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA) is a charity dedicated to the promotion of the ideals and activities of the Combined Cadet Force in schools. Together we want to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and be inspired through their cadet experience.

We want to develop the youth leadership and training abilities of adult volunteers whilst also helping young people to access cadet activities through fundraising, grant-making, developing new resources and direct support.

We strongly believe that everyone benefits when you help young people to develop their character and values through activities that stretch and mature them. We also know that when young people engage with others at a range of levels in their communities it builds confidence and improves empathy for other’s lives.

Who we are

You will enjoy being part of our small team who work very happily together. By joining ACCT UK you will help us to reach more young people and make a greater difference and we look forward to working with you. We actively promote and encourage you to explore ideas that improve all aspects of the charity’s work in pursuit of its charitable aims.

What we can offer you

In addition to your salary, we offer all staff:

· Flexible working arrangements (you agree a working pattern with your line manager).

· Personal Accident Insurance, including loss of earnings cover and death benefit.

· 15 days of sick pay in any 12-month period (after 12 months employment - pro-rata for part time staff).

· A contributory pension scheme (you contribute at least 5% and we will contribute 10%).

· Good leave allowances (which are offered pro-rata for part time staff):

o 20 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.

o Additional privilege leave, on set days each year, such as between Christmas and New Year.

o An additional five days of volunteering leave.

· Support for qualifications and personal development.

· Employee Assistance Programme.

· Season ticket loan.

· Railcard (if you are eligible)

· A caring and supportive team environment.

How to apply

Please send a CV and Cover letter that details how you meet the requirements of the job description by 2359 hrs by Sunday 1st March 2026.

Interviews will be held in person during the week commencing 16th March 2026.

While AI tools can be beneficial, we value the personal touch and authenticity in job applications. We encourage you to highlight your unique experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, ensuring all information is accurate. Please use AI tools responsibly and with integrity throughout the application and selection process.

Please note that as a charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people, we require staff to make a declaration about any relevant convictions, undergo both a Disclosure and Barring Service check and a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check (one of the requirements being that applicants must have been resident in the UK for 3 years). In addition, we will follow up references.

Please be advised that this position may close earlier than the stated deadline if a sufficient number of high-quality applications are received. To ensure your application is considered, we strongly recommend submitting it as soon as possible. Candidates will be notified of the next stage in the recruitment process if they are shortlisted.

Interview process

Once Shortlisting has been completed, the application process will consist of the following:

Stage 1: Application Questions to be completed by candidates

Stage 2: Assessment day (successful candidates will progress to the final stage)

Stage 3: Interviews

Camwch i mewn i daith drawsnewidiol gyda Cyfleodd Dysgu mewn addysg

Step into a transformative journey with Working Options. We're on a mission to empower young people aged 11-19 across the UK, and you can help make a real difference. As our Project Coordinator, based in Wales, you'll play a crucial role in connecting volunteers with schools and fostering impactful relationships, all while working within a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

We believe in inclusivity, trying new things, setting high expectations, and creating real opportunities for young people. With the support of our experienced team and dedicated trustees, you'll have the chance to shape young people's career ambitions.

If you're self-motivated and eager to contribute to a great mission, this is your chance to join a team that's helping young people to transform their career and life chances.

Don't just take our word for it, here's what one of our young people had to say:

"My personal experience has been exceptional. There is a collaborative atmosphere, and it is truly empowering to be part of a charity that values student input and involves us in decisions that directly affect our lives." – Working Options Alumnae.

Find out more about the role and hear from our Chief Executive about our charity's ambitions in our Applicant Information Pack.

Person specification 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO:

• Has a passion for our cause.
• Is fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Is self-motivated.
• Has excellent attention to detail.
• Can juggle multiple priorities, sticking to deadlines and flagging when priorities need reviewing.
• Has a flair for developing great relationships, particularly with schools and colleges.
• Is proactive and tenacious, able to seek out new opportunities and remain resilient.
• Is creative and likes coming up with new ideas.
• Is ambitious for themselves and for the charity.
• Has high computer literacy.

DESIRABLE:

• Experience within educational settings or working with young people in Wales.
• The ability to communicate in the medium of Welsh.

We carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates as part of our recruitment process, using only publicly available information and in line with our data protection responsibilities.

While we don’t specify this in our person specification, we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who have experienced some of the challenges that young people across Wales face today.

We're looking for an enthusiastic Head of Fundraising with a strong track record in fundraising and grant management, who is particularly motivated to join Khulisa because of a deep commitment to our mission – supporting the wellbeing and mental health of young people.

About Khulisa

Khulisa, meaning 'nurture' in the Zulu language of South Africa, is an award-winning charity dedicated to providing therapeutic support to young people. We focus on reaching those who are most at risk – young people from deprived communities who are often marginalized, vulnerable to exclusion, and at heightened risk of becoming involved in crime

Our approach centres on safe, exploratory methods that aim to understand behaviour and experiences often rooted in trauma, abuse, and neglect. We deliver intensive therapeutic programs within educational and community settings, empowering young people to confront the underlying causes of their emotional distress and work toward healing. To create lasting, sustainable change, we work to establish trauma-informed environments around young people by equipping parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals with the tools they need to offer effective, supportive care. Currently, our services are active in London and Manchester.

About the role

Over the last two consecutive financial years, we have raised approximately £1 million each year – primarily through trusts and foundations, corporate donors, and individual supporters. As the successful candidate, you and the team you lead will play a pivotal role in maintaining this level of fundraising success, ensuring our vital work with young people continues to flourish. This role will involve:

• Reviewing and evaluating our funder qualification processes to ensure donors align with our values and meet our ethical standards.
• Ensuring that detailed research on prospective funding opportunities, including trusts, foundations, corporate partners, HNWIs, are carried out and that plans for making approaches are developed and carefully implemented.
• Initiating, nurturing and maintaining strong relationships with prospective funders and donors.
• Working together with the Senior Leadership to develop and periodically review Khulisa's 3-year fundraising strategy, taking ownership of key elements and processes, and periodically developing and testing new fundraising approaches.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please see the attached job description below. 

The post holder will be required to work from home permanently but be willing and able to easily travel to various locations across the London and the North West as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the role and to engage with stakeholders and colleagues.

What we're looking for

Abilities/Experiences

• Extensive fundraising and grant management experience working on large bids (£100K plus).
• Excellent writing skills with ability to produce clear, concise and engaging reports.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and build relationships easily.
• Demonstrable experience of successfully raising funds from Trusts & Foundations, Corporates and Major Donors.
• Experience of leading or significantly contributing to development and/or delivery of a fundraising strategy.
• Experience of budget management and financial processes in income generation activities.
• Experience of mobilising and managing implementation of grant agreements from initiation to reporting and possibly reapplication.
• Ability to confidently negotiate or renegotiate with senior stakeholders on programme budgets, deliverables and objectives. 

Knowledge/Skills

• Good knowledge of Khulisa's work and ability to use this to creatively engage with new donors and secure their interest.
• Strong knowledge of CRM database, preferably Salesforce, in managing funder/donor relationships and fundraising activities.
• Strong account management and negotiation skills.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are actively looking to recruit a diversity of talent. We embrace, respect and value the difference in our employees and believe that we and our work is better for it. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that consists of fairness, dignity, and caring for everyone, and one that enables every employee to flourish and realise their potential.

Arvon, the UK's most renowned creative writing charity, is looking for an experienced and dynamic Management Accountant (Maternity Cover) to work closely with its CFO on the preparation of management accounts, budgeting and forecasting processes, as well as other key finance tasks. Arvon has been delivering courses from its three beautiful houses for over 57 years, and you would be joining a dedicated and spirited national team, all of whom are passionately committed to delivering on Arvon's transformational charitable mission.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Communications to come and join our team providing maternity cover until January 2027 during a period of organisational growth.

Location – This role is mainly working from home with one day a week in our London office (usually a Monday). Occasional travel to our other programme sites (currently Stoke-On-Trent, Redcar, Middlesbrough and Scotland) will also be required.

Salary – Circa £60,000

Employment Type – Fixed term until January 2027, 35 hours per week

Team – Communications team

About you

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following:

· Strong experience in strategic communications, ideally within a start-up, growing, complex or place-based organisation.

· Experience setting up and embedding communications functions, including establishing foundations and building approaches as priorities evolve.

· Significant experience in people leadership, including developing others and building a strong, collaborative working culture.

· Experience influencing senior stakeholders and working with an SLT, including supporting government policy, media, funding and influence related activity.

· Strong content, storytelling and copywriting expertise and the ability to communicate a clear organisational narrative.

About the role

The responsibilities of this role include:

· Overseeing and ensuring the delivery of national and local communications strategies and plans, including national content activity and priority local campaigns and stakeholder engagement.

· Leading the set-up and embedding of new place-based communications functions.

· Leading and overseeing the planning and delivery of Thrive at Five’s 2026 Impact Report, communications relating to evaluations and learning, and our fifth-year anniversary, working closely with evaluation and fundraising colleagues.

· Maintaining and strengthening relationships with key national and local stakeholders in line with our communications strategy and goals.

· Providing professional and operational leadership and coaching to the wider Communications team to ensure they deliver to a high standard.

About us

Thrive at Five is a national charity focused on giving every child the best possible start in life. We know the foundations for life and learning are built in the earliest years, from pregnancy to five. By working alongside families, communities and local partners, we help build stronger, more connected support for parents, so more children get what they need to thrive and reach a good level of development by age five.

Thrive at Five is a relatively young organisation but with an already strong national and political profile, having been called out in Parliament for our ways of working in Stoke-on-Trent and invited to be interviewed at the 2025 Civil Society Summit by the Secretary of State for Education. We have grown rapidly in our first four years, with a growing team of nearly 40 across the country. 2026 will be a year of further growth and milestones for the charity as we celebrate our fifth-year anniversary and expand into our third and fourth regions. This will involve recruiting for a new teams, establishing our programmes and beginning to co-design and implement our work in partnership with communities.

About our benefits

· Pension contributions – We will contribute 3% and you can contribute 5% towards your pension through NEST.

· Hybrid working with one anchor day a week in our central London office near to Victoria train station, coach station and underground.

· 25 annual leave days per year plus bank holidays.

· In addition to your laptop and phone provided by us, you can also receive a £100 contribution towards your home-working set up.

· £100 contribution towards your professional body membership

Please note that as this role is subject to a successful Basic Level Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you have any unspent convictions, but wish to apply for this role, please advise us in your application. The successful candidate will also need to provide satisfactory references and current right to work in the UK.

To apply for this role, please submit your cover letter and CV by following the Apply Now button. Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted as they are received. While the closing date is midnight on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, we may close the vacancy earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.

A fantastic international children’s charity is seeking an experienced Risk and Compliance Manager to lead on organisational risk management and regulatory compliance.

Salary: £40,000 per annum
Location: Remote (occasional UK travel required)

You will ensure the organisation operates with transparency, accountability and integrity, providing assurance to senior leadership, trustees and donors that regulatory, ethical and donor requirements are met.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and develop the organisational risk register.
• Lead internal compliance reviews and donor compliance checks.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, GDPR, anti-fraud, anti-bribery, sanctions and charity law.
• Oversee due diligence for partners, suppliers and contractors.
• Deliver compliance and ethics training for staff.
• Provide compliance input into programme design, proposals and reporting.
• Prepare regular risk and compliance reports for senior leadership and trustees.
• Support governance processes and statutory reporting.

About You:

• At least 3 years’ experience in compliance, risk management or audit within the charity/NGO sector.
• Strong knowledge of UK charity regulation and donor compliance.
• Experience with risk registers, due diligence and compliance reviews.
• Confident reporting to senior management and/or trustees.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.
• High integrity, culturally aware and proactive in identifying risk.

Desirable:

• Compliance or risk qualification (e.g. ICA, IRM).

This role offers the opportunity to play a key part in strengthening governance and accountability within a mission-driven organisation.

For more information, please send your CV to

Please note: Only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

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

Job Title:  Volunteer Coordinator 

Reference Number: V564 

Location: Fife(home based with regular travel across Fife)

Contract Type:  Permanent Contract

Hours: 17.5 hours per week  (0.5 Full Time Equivalent)

Salary: £12, 812 pro rata (£25,625 Full Time Equivalent) 

PVG: PVG Scheme Membership required

Job Family: Job Family 3 

Line Manager:  Delivery Leader for Scotland

Closing Date: Thursday 19th February 2026 at 10am 

Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Anticipated Start Date: April 2026

Who we are 
At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change. 

Creating stronger communities through the power of volunteering 

Volunteering Matters is a nationwide charity that exists to create stronger communities through the power of volunteering. We work with local partners to develop impactful programmes that support individuals and communities across the UK.

Since 1962, we’ve used our influence to champion volunteering as a powerful tool to build a thriving, resilient society. Our projects are co-created with the people and communities we work alongside: an approach that encourages our participants to become future volunteers and leaders, not just beneficiaries. 

We understand the pressures of day-to-day life and create flexible, inclusive opportunities for people at all stages of life. And beyond delivering projects on the ground, we use our voice to shape policy and practice – ensuring volunteering stays recognised, supported and sustainable for generations to come. 

What we do 
We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. We work with local people. 

How we do this 

We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities. 

• We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part. 
   

• We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change. 
   

• We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities. 
   

• We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects. 
   

• We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better. 

Role Purpose 
 
Grandmentors is our award-winning, inter-generational mentoring project running in almost 20 locations across the UK.We recruit, train and support Volunteer Mentors (normally people aged 50+) who are matched 1:1 with young people (aged 16-26) facing a range of life challenges and barriers. This includes young people with experience of the care system, or with Adverse Childhood Experiences. 
 
Through our mentoring support, young people are more likely to have improved physical and mental health and wellbeing, achieve better outcomes around Education, Employment or Training, build independent living skills, and generally enhance their life chances. In 2026, we are excited to be launching the Grandmentors project in Fife.
 
We are now looking to recruit a talented, dynamic and professional Volunteer Coordinator to join our team. In this role, you will lead all aspects of the coordination and delivery of Grandmentors Fife.
 
The right candidate would be someone with great experience of supporting and managing volunteers, working with young people facing a range of life challenges, as well as someone who can work flexibly and demonstrate a commitment to our organisational values.

Our Values & Way of Working 

In all that we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.  

Diversity & Inclusion   

Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.   

  
Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments 

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter.    

Benefits   

Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer: 

• Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work)  

• Unlimited Annual Leave  

• Employee Pension scheme  

• Life Assurance  

• Cycle to Work Scheme  

• Season Ticket Loan  

• Employee Assistance Programme  

• Enhanced sick and family leave.   

• Lifestyle Discount Scheme   

We are also open to discussing job share applications.   

GDPR Statement   

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.     

Policy on AI-Generated Applications  

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI.  

To Apply   

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.   

We welcome applications from everyone, but please note that if we receive an extremely large number of responses, we may close this advert early to fully consider applications. We encourage you to apply promptly so you don’t miss the opportunity to join our community. 

Right to Work in the UK 
Please note that while we hold a license to sponsor employees on a skilled worker visa, the number of applications we can make each year is very limited. Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria for sponsorship, therefore, you must already have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position. 

If you have any questions about current vacancies, the recruitment process, or need support, our team is here to help. 

Join Family for Every Child as a Programme Advisor!

We’re seeking a passionate Programme Advisor to co-lead our Children on the Move portfolio and drive innovative strategies across emerging themes — including the integration of cross-cutting priorities and our response to the climate crisis. In this role, you’ll work closely with Family’s local CSO members and secretariat teams to deliver our Impact goals, strengthen locally led action, and help shape our global positioning for children and families.

If you’re a collaborative professional with experience in child rights and programme strategy, a commitment to locally led change, avaiablable to inyerview and start role asap, we’d love to hear from you! NB - Only  avaiavle immediately,applicantions will be considered due to the urgency of the role. 

You must be available and adaptable to work across varied time zones (UK, India, New Zealand, and Australia) to support global team operations.

Salary: £28,000 | Hours: 35 per week
Location: Remote (optional office near Essex)
Contract: Employed | Annual Leave: 25 days + Bank Holidays
 

Are you a recent graduate passionate about web development and keen to use your skills for good? Join The Country Trust, a national charity helping disadvantaged children access food, farming and the natural world.

As our Graduate Junior Full Stack Web Developer, you’ll help build and maintain Drupal websites integrated with CiviCRM, supporting our fundraising, programmes and communications. You don’t need years of experience, just solid fundamentals, curiosity, and a desire to learn.

Essentials you’ll have:

• A degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Web Development, or a related STEM field
• Knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and relational databases
• Evidence of personal or academic coding projects
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• Enthusiasm for learning and continuous improvement

Desirable skills:

• Drupal or CiviCRM experience
• APIs, modern JS frameworks, Git, Linux, or agile knowledge

We offer:

• Full training and mentorship in Drupal and CiviCRM
• Clear progression opportunities
• A supportive, inclusive, mission-driven team
• Exposure across the organisation and real-world impact
• Remote working with optional access to our central office if within commuting distance
   

Closing date: Midnight, Monday 2 March
Please apply on our website. Due to our safer recruitment policy, CVs are not accepted

Grants & Impact Lead

Role Overview
The Talent Set is delighted to partner with an amazing youth charity on a fantastic Grants & Impact Lead role. This key position involves overseeing grant acquisition and management, while strategically measuring and maximising the organisation’s social impact through effective programmes and collaborations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, writing, and submission of grant applications to diverse funders.
• Manage grants lifecycle, including compliance, reporting, and relationship-building with funders.
• Monitor and evaluate programme outcomes to demonstrate social impact and align with strategic goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure grant activities are aligned with organisational priorities.
• Develop strategies to enhance funding opportunities and diversify income streams.
• Maintain detailed records of funding activities and prepare regular reports for stakeholders.

Person Specification

• Proven experience in securing and managing grants within the non-profit or charity sectors.
• Strong understanding of impact measurement frameworks and reporting standards.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with funders and stakeholders.
• Organisational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Analytical mindset to assess programme outcomes and demonstrate social value.
• Ability to work collaboratively and foster positive partnerships across teams and external entities.

What’s on Offer
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

The Bikeability Trust is entering a new exciting phase of our strategy to 2035 to ensure more children can cycle with confidence. A year into our strategy we have reviewed Executive Team roles and responsibilities and are now looking for a creative Communications and Fundraising Director to lead our mission driven communications, income generation and impact reporting functions.

You will be an experience senior leader in communications, who has the drive to take our strategy to the next level. A key member of the Executive Team, working across the home based diverse staff team to bring together the impact of our work through corporate communications and influencing. We recommend reading our annual reviews on the Bikeability website to see a flavour of the work you could be leading.

Our income generation work is focussed on small impactful corporate partnerships, we have tested some individual giving and are planning to host a fundraising Ball in 2026. Experience in fundraising is desirable, with communications experience as essential as this role will ensure strong relationships with Government. 

If you would like to have a short discussion with the CEO before applying please contact Emily Cherry CEO. We are looking to interview shortlisted candidates on the 23rd or 25th February. We are looking for a candidate to start from 1st April or sooner. 

Neotree: The Digital Learning Health System

Neotree is an award-winning digital learning health system co-designed with frontline clinicians to end preventable newborn deaths in low-resource settings. Our open-source platform integrates real-time, knowledge-based clinical decision support (CDS), structured data capture, and visual dashboards into routine neonatal care. Currently active in 18 healthcare facilities, Neotree has supported care for 60,000 newborns and trained over 3,000 health workers to date. Neotree is the only platform of its kind with a defined pathway to embed AI-enabled decision support into routine neonatal care in sub-Saharan Africa.

Neotree: The Charity

The UK charity was established by core members of the University College London (UCL) Neotree research project to maximise the impact of their research on the quality of newborn care and newborn mortality. After five years of rapid growth and proven clinical impact, Neotree is seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead our next chapter. Having evolved from an innovative research pilot into a multi-country digital health intervention, integrated into routine neonatal care in Malawi and Zimbabwe, Neotree is poised for national-scale rollout and scale up, alongside rigorous ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

The Opportunity: Impact at Scale

By 2030 the ambition is for Neotree to be a fully integrated, sustainable standard of care across Malawi and Zimbabwe, having been handed over to, and owned by, their respective Ministries of Health. The incoming Executive Director will lead this transition, shifting the organisation from a research-led implementation partner to one able to scale up a digital public good (currently a DPGA Nominee with a full submission for DPG designation under review).

While the technological landscape, and specific delivery modules, will evolve, the Executive Director will ensure Neotree remains a safe, cost-effective, equitable, and evidence-based system that is successfully embedded within national digital health infrastructures.

The Executive Director's success will be measured collaboratively, focusing on KPIs related to impact and sustainability, and they will work alongside experienced clinical, technical, and academic leads.

Location: Remote within 2-3 hours of Central Africa Time (CAT), with approximately quarterly travel (including to Malawi, Zimbabwe and the UK).

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Key Responsibilities

1. Operations, Clinical Safety & Quality Assurance

1.1. Senior Operational Oversight: Provide high-level oversight of Neotree’s operations across 18 healthcare facilities in Malawi and Zimbabwe, ensuring that the "baby-first" mission is consistently delivered on the ground.

1.2. Clinical Safety & Ethical Governance: Lead the overarching strategy for clinical safety and ethical compliance. Ensure the platform remains a safe and effective clinical tool, and that all operations comply with international data protection and health governance best practices.

1.3. Quality & Effectiveness: Oversee the continuous improvement and optimisation of the Neotree platform based on real-world feedback from frontline clinical staff, ensuring the system remains highly acceptable and trusted by healthcare professionals.

2. Management: People, Grants & Finance

2.1. International Team Leadership: Lead, oversee and inspire a multi-disciplinary, multi-country team (UK, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa), fostering a culture of agility, collaboration, and excellence.

2.2. Develop local leadership and support the growth of country-based teams, ensuring long-term sustainability through in-country capacity building.

2.3. Financial & Grant Management:

2.3.1. Provide robust oversight of the charity’s finances, including budget setting and cash flow.

2.3.2. Lead the management of complex institutional grants (e.g. FCDO, Gates Foundation), ensuring all milestones and reporting requirements are met.

2.3.3. Manage relationships with multiple downstream partners.

3. Governance & Accountability

3.1. Statutory Compliance: Lead Neotree’s reporting and compliance with the Charity Commission, HMRC, Companies House, donors and other relevant legislation. Oversee internal and external audits.

3.2. Board Development & Relations: Act as the primary link to the Board of Trustees, providing transparent reporting on risks, financial performance, and strategic progress. Work proactively with the Chair to strengthen the board, supporting its growth and ensuring its membership is representative of the diverse international contexts and communities Neotree serves.

3.3. Risk Management: Serve as the ultimate lead for organisational risk, identifying and mitigating risks to protect the charity’s reputation, clinical safety, and financial health.

3.4. Organisational & Innovation Governance: Responsible for the continuous review and implementation of all policies (HR, due diligence, safeguarding, clinical and data governance etc.). Ensure policies are legally compliant across international operations.

4. Strategy & Impact Scaling

4.1. Overall Strategy: Lead the development and execution of Neotree’s business model and strategy to scale impact globally, ensuring the sustainable growth and wider adoption of Neotree as a digital public good.

4.2. Evidence base: Work closely with Neotree’s academic team at University College London to identify and address evidence gaps, to support on Neotree research grants (e.g. NIHR, Gates Foundation), and to ensure academic insights are translated directly into clinical impact and national policy.

4.3. Tech Strategy & Interoperability: Lead the development and execution of Neotree's digital strategy. A key focus will be driving the roadmap for system interoperability to ensure Neotree is a future-proofed platform. This includes FHIR compatibility and integration with national systems, such as DHIS2 and national EHRs, to support seamless data exchange.

4.4. Fundraising Strategy: Design and deliver a diverse fundraising strategy that further moves the organisation toward financial resilience and reduced dependence on major academic grants.

4.5. Partnerships & External Relations: Serve as one of the primary ambassadors for Neotree, alongside our Principal Investigators and co-founder Professor Michelle Heys. Define priority stakeholders, and build and maintain relationships with those high-level strategic partners to drive adoption and raise Neotree’s profile.

Key Priorities for the First 12-18 Months

The new Executive Director will focus on the following key priorities during their initial 12-18 months:

1. Successful Project Delivery & Ministry of Health Partnerships. Ensure successful delivery of the projects currently in flight, in both Malawi and Zimbabwe. This includes partnerships with the Ministries of Health in both countries to build and hand over neonatal modules in their EHR systems based on Neotree, and support their successful rollout.

2. Strategic Plan Development. Develop a 3-5 year plan with the Board, academic partners, and wider project team to build on our existing foundation to expand Neotree – including addressing research gaps, using AI to improve clinical decision support, and finding ways to expand the adoption of the technology in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and beyond. Sustainability is a core part of that strategy.

3. Strategic Plan Execution. Execute on that plan, including securing funding, building partnerships, and further developing the Neotree team.

Person Specification

Personal attributes and skillset

• Overall: Values-driven, mission alignment, humility, and commitment to equitable partnership.
• Visionary Leadership: An inspiring leader who can balance day-to-day operations with a long-term strategic focus. You can articulate a clear future for Neotree that motivates an international team and aligns global partners toward making Neotree a national standard of care, ensuring every innovation remains underpinned by our "baby-first" mission.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: You must thrive in a landscape that is constantly shifting. You can pivot strategies as national digital health priorities evolve or as new technological partners emerge. You are comfortable with ambiguity and can steer the organisation through the "unknowns" of the next five+ years.
• Communication & Collaborative Mindset: You are a bridge-builder. You have a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across international borders and multidisciplinary partners, linking academic research, technical development, and frontline clinical delivery.

Experience

1. Education: Master’s degree (MSc, MPH, MBA) in a relevant field (e.g. Global Health, International Development, Digital Health).

2. Proven track record of overseeing delivery of health services and/or health interventions (ideally in low-resource settings).

3. Experience of working in partnership with Ministries of Health strengthening health systems.

4. Proven experience in scaling an organisation or a digital product / health intervention from a pilot phase to a national or regional standard.

5. Experience of leading multidisciplinary, multi-cultural teams, both in person and remotely.

6. Experience of monitoring and evaluating health programmes.

7. Experience managing complex grants, and diverse revenue streams (grants, philanthropy, or social enterprise models).

Desirable

• AI & Innovation: Understanding of the ethical and practical implications of integrating AI/Machine Learning into healthcare.
• Governance: Familiarity with UK charity governance, including reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies House.

Equal opportunities

Neotree values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities. All applicants for employment will receive equal treatment without discrimination on grounds of gender, race, ethnic or national origins, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation, or any other grounds. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates from minority ethnic backgrounds, and the low-resource settings in which we work, to ensure we have a well-balanced and widely representative staff base.

Role outline and purpose

The Head of External Relations leads strategic engagement and influencing activities to ensure hunger and hardship remain a priority for key external audiences, to build the breadth and depth of support needed to help end the need for food banks.  This role engages and influences target stakeholders in government, business, civil society and faith communities to prioritise hunger and hardship in their decisions and actions.

This role is part of Trussell’s Prioritising Hunger and Hardship programme, the goal of which is to keep hunger and hardship at the forefront of conversations and decision making – both amongst the public and key individuals and organisations relevant to our cause.  This role is focused on the successful delivery of the overall programme outcomes, contributing to the fulfilment of our long-term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.

Role responsibilities

· Leading the organisation’s external influencing strategy to shape key conversations, decisions, and activities among target audiences to ensure hunger and hardship remain a national priority.  Working closely with colleagues across the organisation focused on influencing and advocacy with relevant stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, advice sector, local authorities).

· Develop and maintain high-impact senior relationships with key parliamentarians, civil servants, faith leaders, youth organisations, the wider charitable food sector and other partners to build strategic support and unlock change.

· Oversee targeted engagement programmes that deepen collaboration with, and activate, key stakeholders and organisations to build and amplify the long-term wide-ranging support needed to end the need for food banks – including youth and wider civil society organisations, charitable food providers and faith communities.

· Shape and support coalitions that align around shared priorities, build a unified narrative, and strengthen the collective voice of organisations working to support people facing hunger and hardship.

· Act as an external spokesperson representing the organisation in media, at external events and high-level meetings and through written commentary.

· Provide team leadership, direction, support and line management.  This will include regular 1:1s and reviews to ensure object and targets are met.

Person Specification

Technical skills and minimum knowledge:

· Proven track record of developing and delivering successful influencing strategies, focused on wide-ranging and high-profile external audiences

· Extensive experience in senior stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and influencing with impact across a wide range of partners, including a strong understanding of the UK political landscape and policy processes

· An understanding and appreciation for faith communities, particularly the role churches play in mobilising communities to end the need for food banks

· Knowledge of issues related to hunger and hardship, with an ability to translate complex policy into accessible messaging

Behaviours and competencies:

· Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate and respond to changing political and social environments

· Role model inclusive behaviour, values and leadership including empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially excluded backgrounds

· Comfortable working in a fast-paced and high-performing organisation, combining problem-solving with collaborative interpersonal skills

· Effective communications and influencing skills: diplomatic, builds rapport, accessible and audience-appropriate presentation, and highly persuasive

Key Stakeholders

· Programme Leadership Team, particularly Heads withing Prioritising Hunger and Hardship (Head of Programme, Communications, and Research)

· Key influencing stakeholders within Making Social Security Work, Sustainable Holistic Advice, and Supportive Communities programmes (including Heads of Policy, Advice Advocacy, Community Building, and Community Design)

· Senior Audience messaging specialist (in programme)

· Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland leads

· Assistant Director of Income Generation

· UK parliamentarians and officials

· Senior sector partners

· Senior Church leaders

Location: Home-based, delivering sessions in schools and farms across Essex and surrounding areas
Contract: Self-employed, renewable subject to annual review
Start: Delivery from February 2026

This vacancy is recruited on a rolling basis and may close early if a suitable candidate is appointed, so early application is encouraged. Previous applicants need not apply.

We’re looking for a passionate and confident Food and Farm Discovery Coordinator to inspire primary-aged children through hands-on food, farming and countryside learning. You’ll deliver engaging cooking, gardening and farm visit experiences, working closely with schools, farmers and food producers - particularly in areas of disadvantage.

What you’ll do

• Deliver Farm Discovery Days and the Food Discovery programme in schools
• Plan and lead farm visits, cooking and gardening sessions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools and farm hosts
• Manage session planning, equipment, health & safety and safeguarding
• Work independently as part of a supportive national team

Time commitment & pay

• Around 80–90 paid days per year (seasonal variation)
• £171.48/day for Food Discovery delivery
• £163.77/day for Farm Discovery delivery
• Plus expenses and mileage (45p per mile)
• Estimated annual earnings: £14,000–£15,000, with potential to grow

You’ll need

• Experience working with primary-age children and schools
• Confidence delivering hands-on cooking, gardening and outdoor learning
• Enthusiasm for food, farming and the countryside
• Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills
• Full UK driving licence, access to a car, and suitable IT setup