Community Jobs in Manchester

As an organisation, we are unifying all of the professions and services involved in the delivery of MS care to create one influential voice and are building and delivering initiatives that will support meaningful service improvement.

As a member of the TMSFA team, you will be responsible for developing the external profile of TMSFA through the implementation of an engaging and impactful digital communications strategy, providing valuable insight into the work that TMSFA is doing and growing its audience.

With your strong background in IT, communication, marketing and website development, you will be pivotal in publicising events, publications and outcomes of TMSFA.

This role will also involve routine administrative office tasks, including the management of the database.

This is a new and exciting role that will be best suited to someone who is innovative, motivated, and agile in their approach to work. 

We are recruiting a Project Officer to join our Employment and Skills team, working across the Wigan Borough.

If you have a keen interest in the health and wellbeing of others this is a perfect role for you. Working in line with the five ways to wellbeing which are: Connect, Get Active, Take Notice, Learn and Give, this rewarding programme is structured to improve the lives of local people aged 19+ and give them the skills and resilience to thrive in their personal lives once the programme has completed.

Previous experience in working in this area is desirable but we welcome applicants from all sectors as transferrable skills are highly important to bring new ideas to enhance this programme.

We are looking for someone who will work with local services who can provide awareness sessions to participants and plan and deliver engaging sessions that support the 5 ways to wellbeing. You will be required to manage and develop relationships with our existing referral partners and seek new opportunities marketing the programme.

The role will involve recruiting participants from across the borough to join the programme and signposting for relevant support that is required for attendees. During the programme you will work with adults to develop an individual learning plan to plan for next steps and assist to break down barriers to progressions e.g., tackling loneliness, providing employment advice and building confidence and resilience.

You will be part of the Employment and Skills department who deliver team programmes and one to one mentoring. The established team regular meet to share best practice and discuss standardisation of delivery as this programme is a non accredited adult learning course funded by the Workers Education Association via GMCA.

If you think you've got what it takes, then we'd like to hear from you.

How To Apply
For the full job description and person specification and details on how to apply, please visit our website. 

The charity is 9 years old, and initially started its work in Blackpool, the community facing the highest multiple deprivation in the country, before starting to scale. After slow and steady growth in our early years, a combination of our reputation, growing evidence, and the increased demand for place based change has seen our rate of growth rising in recent years. We are taking a “quality first” approach to scaling our delivery work, as we cannot let down any of our communities through scaling beyond our capability.

In order to support the increasing level of demand for our work, over the next five years, the fundraising team will embark on an ambitious growth strategy – as we look to grow our income £8 million this year to £20 million by 2029, increasing the breadth, depth and number of communities that we serve. 

The successful candidate will play an integral role in designing, developing and leading the delivery of our fundraising strategy to ensure that children and young people have the best start in life. They will be responsible for a broad range of income streams with a particular focus on growth across high net worth individuals, individual giving, corporate and digital whilst continuing to effectively maintain and build upon our strong funder base in trusts, foundations, philanthropy and statutory support.  They will also directly oversee the wider fundraising team which currently includes the fundraising manager and fundraising officer roles. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Overseeing the successful design, development and implementation of Right to Succeed’s 5 year fundraising strategy. 

• Leading, inspiring, developing and managing the charity’s fundraising team, taking overall responsibility for achieving fundraising targets for the organisation.

• Ensuring a collaborative and integrated approach to fundraising across the organisation through working collaboratively with the finance and programmes team to ensure maximum efficiency across our prospecting, budgeting, monitoring, tracking and reporting processes

• Ensuring that fundraising activities comply with legal and regulatory standards, including donor privacy, tax regulations, and the Fundraising Regulator’s code of practice 

• Building positive, sustainable relationships both internal and externally, effectively managing all key stakeholders and funders. 

• Representing Right to Succeed externally, including organising and attending funder events and regularly engaging with local and regional commissioners and funders. 

• Providing key fundraising insight to the Senior Executive team and when required trustee board as part of the wider leadership group, shaping organisational strategy and decision-making. 

• Identifying opportunities and potential challenges, working collaboratively across functions to maximise impact and mitigate risk.

• Working in partnership with the communications team to align cross-departmental priorities ensuring that increasing organizational profile leads to greater levels of funder interest in supporting our work

• Working collaboratively with the Finance Director to ensure clear alignment of budget management processes and being proactive in managing and communicating change and risk 

• Developing an in-depth knowledge understanding of our work and the communities we serve to enable the production of high-quality fundraising materials, proposals and reports

Fundraising 

• Overseeing a diverse portfolio of income streams, with a clear strategy and plan for growth and sustainability

• Working alongside the Senior Executive and wider leadership team to set, monitor and deliver annual income and expenditure targets.

• Support the Senior Executive team in cultivating new relationships and stewardship of HNWI whilst continuing to build upon our existing funder base, ensuring that all supporters receive a first-class experience.

• Proactively planning for meetings with funders, prospects and networking events to develop new opportunities.

• Working collaboratively with the comms and and programmes teams to increase awareness of RtS and our programmes, developing professional and engaging fundraising materials including fundraising applications, proposals, appeals, pitches and reports.

• Identifying new fundraising trends and developments and make recommendations to the Senior Executive team around resource prioritization. 

• Ensuring the fundraising database and pipeline is fully kept up to date, implementing and embedding a clear framework for decision making regarding fundraising opportunities across the organisation. 

• Working collectively with the Chief Programmes Officer and Programme Directors to identify, develop and grow local funding opportunities within their respective communities

Budgeting, reporting and compliance

• Managing the team budget, providing regular reports as required to the Senior Executive, Finance, Development Committee and Board of Trustees.

• Setting, delivering and monitoring the fundraising business plan, ensuring all objectives and KPIs are met and risks are managed as appropriate.

• Ensuring all fundraising activity complies with legal and regulatory standards.

• Supporting the finance team in compiling information for the annual audit process

• Working with the finance and programme teams to ensure alignment across organisational, funder and programme budgets 

• Maximising the effectiveness of our organisational CRM (Hubspot) to provide high-quality analysis, insight, reporting and strategic decision making

Leadership and management

• Developing a collaborative, high-performance culture that is ambitious, passionate and proactive in its strategic and operational practice.

• Providing effective line management to direct reports, setting and monitoring individual performance objectives and motivating the team to be innovative and professional in its thinking and delivery.

• Ensuring all fundraising staff receive clear and consistent direction and feedback to enable them to perform to the best of their ability.

• Having an open attitude to constructive peer feedback around improving policies and processes as we continue to learn and grow as an organisation

• Being an inspiring ambassador for RtS, networking widely, and ensuring it is reflected in the strategies, outputs and behaviors of the fundraising team.

• Contributing to the strategic direction of the charity, joining the senior executive team meetings once the fundraising function is working effectively. 

• Leading by example in terms of your work ethic, your commitment to the delivery of results and demonstrating the values of the organisation in all that you do. 

• Investing in the professional development of your team, ensuring that they are growing in their roles and as members of the Right to Succeed staff team. 

Travel 

This role will require travel to Right to Succeed’s offices in Liverpool and Manchester as well as to funder meetings across the UK. It is essential that the post-holder has access to a car or excellent transport systems.

Person Specification 

Experience required (essential) 

• Strong track record of meeting and exceeding fundraising targets in a senior fundraising role.

• Leading the development and implementation of a successful fundraising strategy generating significant organisational income.

• Track record of working across different forms of fundraising including trusts & foundations, high net worth individuals, individual giving, corporate and statutory/public sector.

• Track record of leading, managing and inspiring high performing fundraising teams.

• Proficient in research, strategic planning, budgeting and monitoring.

• Fostering successful relationships and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders.

• Bringing together influential funders and policy makers to increase awareness and support of key issues.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to facilitate senior stakeholder meetings, speak engagingly to a wide range of audiences and to represent RtS externally.

• Understanding of the issues facing the children, young people and communities that we serve.

• Collaborative working style and excellent relationship building skills.

• Working with Senior Executive teams and trustee boards.

Experience required (desirable) 

• Experience in working with city regions, local authorities, government departments and their commissioning processes.

• Leading local or national fundraising campaigns. 

• Knowledge of utilising CRM systems (we use Hubspot) for fundraising. 

Skills & Personal Qualities (essential)

• Commitment to the aims and ethos of Right to Succeed and a desire to bring about positive change in relation to societal inequity. 

• Business management and Financial management skills. 

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to enthuse, motivate and develop a team and partnerships that deliver results. 

• Ability to think strategically and to communicate a compelling strategic vision.

• Excellent all round communication skills and relationship management abilities. 

• Professional and resourceful, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

• Ability to model and instill the Right to Succeed values as outlined below. 

• Strong organisational and people management skills.

• Ability to work in a small, but highly ambitious, growing organisation

Qualifications and Knowledge (essential)

• Awareness of local areas, key challenges and understanding of current contexts 

• Collective impact and place-based change 

• In-depth knowledge of education improvement and community development 

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How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit a CV and a supporting statement including your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for the role by end of day on Friday 8th November. 

Please note we will be interviewing candidates as applications are received and may close the vacancy earlier if a suitable candidate is identified. Candidates are advised to apply as early as possible.

Unfortunately, we can’t consider any candidates who do not submit a supporting statement. 

Your supporting statement must not exceed two pages and should cover your motivation for applying for the role and how your skills and experience meet the criteria outlined in the Person Specification. This is also your opportunity to evidence the written communication skills that will be necessary for the role.

Timetable 

Applications invited by Friday 8th November 

Interviews: 

Stage one will be held on Zoom on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th November

Stage two will be held on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th November 

Start date: December 2024/January 2025

These dates may be subject to change. 

Job Title: Gardener Project Officer for Young Marketeers Newcastle

Position Type: Freelance

Reports to: Development Manager

Based at: Home-working and at schools in Newcastle

Working Hours: 14 days @ £165 per day from March – July (£2310); 8 x school gardening sessions at £110 per session plus 1 day planning @ £220 (£1100). Total budget £3,410 + expenses

Contract: Temporary 

Job Purpose

· To manage the delivery of Young Marketeers in Newcastle in four primary schools

Background to School Food Matters

School Food Matters (SFM) exists to teach children about food and to improve children’s access to healthy, sustainable food during their time at school. We provide fully funded food education programmes to schools. Our experience delivering these programmes informs and strengthens our campaigns, bringing the voices of children, parents and teachers to government policy.

Young Marketeers

This much-loved programme was started in London in 2012. It is now running in 12 cities across England and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund for three years.  The programme provides hands-on opportunities for children from primary schools to grow fruit and veg from seed to sell at their local market. Young Marketeers is also a platform for School Food Matters to promote food education to schools and communities as a way to support children to live happy and healthy lives.  Children learn the art of growing veg from seed, and market traders will share their secrets on how to create a winning market stall.  Primary schools will be visited by our gardener in March/April and then again in May/June and receive further tips on how to ensure a bumper crop. And in July, they head to the market to sell their produce, and to meet the mayor!

Key Tasks include:

· Recruit four schools to take part in Young Marketeers

· Build and maintain relationships with teachers, teaching assistants and senior leaders to ensure the smooth running of the project

· Build and support relationships with contacts in partner organisations

· Schedule, organise and deliver

o One assembly in each school

o Two food growing sessions in each school

o One market trader training session in each school

o Market Day in the city centre in July for four schools

· Maintain accurate records relating to the programme

• Complete monitoring and evaluation forms in accordance with instructions from our Evaluation team
• Take photos of workshops and events where possible
• Keep Development Manager fully updated on progress

· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

• Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times

Person specification

Essential  

· Experience of delivering food growing sessions to children

· Knowledge of fruit and vegetable growing

· Excellent administrative and organisational skills with great attention to detail

· Excellent IT skills including excel, word and email

· Experience of building relationships with partner organisations and individuals 

· Ability to work in a team, and seek help when needed

· Self-motivated and optimistic with a can-do attitude

Desirable  

· Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation

· Experience of working in primary schools and engaging children

The ideal candidate for the Chief Officer position will have a passion for creativity and community engagement, along with strong leadership, bid writing and strategic planning skills. This role involves overseeing all aspects of the Centre’s operations, including program development, fundraising, and community outreach. 

This role can influence the delivery of the mental health agenda across Greater Manchester and requires the jobholder to be a positive leader and role model for the CLC’s members, employees, and volunteers. 

The Chief Officer will also work on behalf of the Charity to develop and deliver the Vision and Mission through the delivery of the strategic plan, ensuring the CLC’s ongoing sustainability, growth, and success in todays challenging economic environment

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop and provide strategic leadership and direction to the Creative Living Centre. 

• Develop and implement programs that align with our mission and goals. 

• Oversee budgets, expenditure and management accounts ensuring that income and expenditure is within planned targets. Accountable to the Board of Trustees for the overall financial health of the CLC, including ensuring that new funding opportunities are pursued. 

• Oversee fundraising efforts and build relationships with donors and sponsors. 

• Manage the Centre’s budget and ensure financial sustainability, asset management and risk appraisal. 

• Foster a positive and inclusive community environment. 

• Represent the Centre at public events and in the media. 

• Collaborate with staff, volunteers, and community partners. 

• Ensure all staff are effectively line managed and performance managed

• Take overall responsibility for achieving, monitoring, and reporting on performance against targets in all areas of the CLC’s activities. 

• Report to the Trustee Board regularly on progress against key strategic objectives, providing information and answering for the CLC’s performance. 

• Ensure that the Board operates within statutory and corporate approved frameworks, requirements and guidelines. 

Who are we looking for? 

• Proven experience in a leadership role developing business plans, preferably in a non-profit or community organization ideally a mental health charity. 

• Strong leadership style with line management, team building  experience. 

• Robust knowledge of Charity Governance, Policies, and statutory requirements 

• Strong understanding of creative and cultural sectors. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans. 

• Experience in fundraising and financial management. 

• Passion for creativity and community engagement. 

• Experience of working closely with Boards of Trustees, advising, and guiding robust decision making 

• Financial management including forecasting, budget setting and monitoring income and expenditure. 

• Risk strategy and management. 

• Knowledge of Mental Health Strategies both at local, Greater Manchester and National levels highly desirable. 

• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise multiple activities/workstreams. 

• Excellent IT skills with ability to prepare reports in Word, spreadsheets in Excel and Power Point 

What you can expect in return 

The role is part-time, 26.5 hours per week. The successful candidate can work the hours in a variable pattern which can suit both parties, subject to agreement with the CLC’s board of trustees. The successful candidate will be required to spend time at the CLC each week. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Creative Living Centre is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

Please note, this role is subject to the receipt of a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and references. Applicants must also be eligible to work in the UK. 

Role overview

City of Trees, the community forest charity for Greater Manchester is looking for a highly motivated, confident individual who can sell the power of trees and woodlands and create lasting partnerships with potential funders to generate income for City of Trees. This is an exciting and rewarding role for someone who is looking to work across multiple fundraising disciplines and establish themselves in our small but agile team.

The ideal candidate will work alongside our existing Partnerships Manager to help deliver our fundraising and partnership strategy with a focus on building unrestricted income levels for City of Trees.  The ideal candidate is an ambitious self-starter with proven experience in a fundraising or partnerships-based role.

The perks

• 25 holiday days a year, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure
• Flexi-time
• City centre office with hybrid working available
• Opportunity to get outside and get your hands dirty with planting and woodland management days.
• Joining a growing, down to earth team who love a good social and pizza party!
• Going home knowing you’ve done something good for future generations

About City of Trees

We are City of Trees, the community forest for Greater Manchester and registered charity. We plant trees, we look after trees, we promote a culture of trees.

We plant trees for people; trees to create better, greener places; to boost health and wellbeing; to enhance green skills; and to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency. We’re rooted here in Greater Manchester, the place we live and work. We are proud to call Greater Manchester home and are passionate about making our region even better, one tree at a time.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Work alongside the Partnerships Manager to implement the fundraising strategy with a focus on building unrestricted income levels for City of Trees.
• Assist the Partnerships Manager in managing existing key funder relationships and take the lead on developing new funder relationships and revenue streams.
• Play a supporting role in trusts and foundations, working closely with the Business Development team.
• Oversee and maintain accurate supporter records through the use of our CRM system, DonorFy
• Work closely with the communications team on digital fundraising and events.

To be successful in this role you will need a broad experience across multiple fundraising disciplines i.e. legacy, individual giving, community and corporate fundraising. You will also need experience in planning, organising and delivering fundraising campaigns and activities, plus Experience of using a CRM system such as DonorFy, salesforce, Raisers Edge or ThankQ.

Additional information

If you are interested in this role, please submit a full CV and a cover letter to our HR Team by the closing date of 22nd November 2024.

Interviews will be held at the City of Trees office in Manchester City Centre on the week commencing 25th November 2024.

To request the full job description for this role or ask any questions please contact the HR Team.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. 

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities. 

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today. 

We are delighted to be delivering the National School Breakfast Programme. Family Action is committed to supporting child development, and we believe a healthy school breakfast, without barrier or stigma, can set up children to succeed and give them the very best chance to learn. Working with schools across the country, the post holder will make a vital contribution in ensuring thousands of children in disadvantaged areas have a healthy breakfast at the start of the school day.

As a School Breakfast Coordinator, you will be required to work directly with schools to recruit them to the programme, facilitate the successful set up of breakfast delivery in their schools and provide ongoing support and advice. A big part of this role will be to proactively contact schools to offer them a virtual meeting to support them to sustain and grow their breakfast provision. 

Main Responsibilities:

• Proactively contact schools to offer online meetings and support in the ongoing delivery of their breakfast provision. Offering advice and guidance to increase the number of children having breakfast each day
• Respond to school queries via a support desk either by phone or email in a timely manner. Escalating to colleagues within the service as appropriate.
• Share knowledge, ideas, feedback and evidence of good practice with schools to inspire and encourage improved delivery of the breakfast provision.
• Work closely with colleagues and partners supplying the service delivery, ensuring any issues relating to Food orders, deliveries or provision help are reported and action is taken immediately.

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

• The successful candidate will preferably be educated to degree level or relevant professional qualification to level 3. Have experience of working in customer service environments or experience of being first point of contact and providing high quality support.
• Experience of working in an educational setting or in partnership with schools or other educational providers and knowledge of how schools operate.
• Experience working in a remote team with the ability to confidently build relationships with a range of professionals, stakeholders and services.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills including the ability to engage a range of audiences virtually.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with strong IT and administration skills and a high level of competency in the use of Salesforce or a similar CRM tool. 

Benefits: 

• an annual paid leave entitlement that commences at 25 working days, rising each April by one day, subject to a maximum of 30 working days plus bank holidays 
• up to 6% matched-pension contributions
• enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
• eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
• cycle to work scheme
• investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

· Download and submit a completed Application Form linked to the Family Action job advert

• Closing Date: Monday 11th November 2024

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Training and Support Worker to lead and support The Mason Foundation’s future growth and development by providing and delivering training to a variety of audiences.  The role is home based - with requirement to travel (ideally, candidates will be located in the ‘South Central’ area of England, including Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, and surrounding areas).  Hours - 30 -37.5 hours, available as a part-time or full-time position. 

Through our programmes we reduce inequalities, empower communities, and drive meaningful, sustainable change.The Mason Foundation delivers people centred services, projects and training, through its specialist wellbeing and employment programmes including:

· The Mason Mile – supporting inclusive, community led starting point physical activity centred around ‘1 Mile’

· Propel - supporting young people with learning disabilities, into meaningful and sustainable employment.

· Bespoke Community Impact Projects – supporting and empowering communities to co-develop and deliver impactful and meaningful change.

As the Training and Support Worker, you will play a pivotal part in the development of our programmes and training, through sharing partner insight, understanding the latest evidence and landscape of workplace inclusivity and keeping abreast of other providers in this space. You will be required to travel regularly to deliver face to face training within the community, education settings and workplaces.   

You will have a track record of working within learning, development, community engagement or similar, ideally with experience of supporting communities with additional needs.

You will be a strong, passionate, and inspiring facilitator, driven to deliver impactful training. You will be a skilled communicator, confident in using a variety of methods to engage and empower others from a broad range of backgrounds and settings.

You will be a team player and understand the need to work seamlessly in collaboration with multiple agencies including local authority, corporate and third sector partners, to help ensure high quality delivery of our services, to our communities.

The Training and Support Worker will need to embrace a ‘make it happen’ working environment, with constant dedication and a passion for making a difference as part of a committed charity, supporting disadvantaged communities.

In return, you get to work for a great, growing charity with like-minded people with a competitive salary.

All offers of employment are conditional upon you signing the contract of employment and:

· Two satisfactory references

· Proof of attainment of qualifications

· Evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom; and

· If applicable, satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Proposed Week of Interview: w/c 18th November 2024

The Mason Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We positively encourage applications from candidates regardless of sex, race or ethnicity, nationality, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, or belief, marital or civil partnership status, parental or carer status, education, socioeconomic background, pregnancy or maternity, or any other characteristic protected under equality legislation. 

We are especially keen to encourage and welcome applications from people currently under-represented within the organisation, these include but are not limited to those from the LGBT+ community, people with disabilities, and candidates who are Black or People of Colour. Those with disabilities meeting the minimum requirements for the post will be shortlisted and reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure they are not disadvantaged during the interview process.

The Fundraising Development Officer will raise the profile of David Lewis across the North West of England, growing and nurturing new and existing relationships with supporters.

They will be proactive, dynamic, and creative, as well as being super organised, working autonomously, but also enjoying being part of a passionate talented team, bringing the energy and emotion of our work to life for supporters.

The Fundraising Development Officer will ensure that fundraising activity is implemented and managed to deliver targets in line with the annual budget and financial strategy.

The Fundraising Development Officer will work closely with members of the team to recruit, support and manage a network of fundraising supporters and volunteers.

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint one lay member to replace Claire Minchington who comes to the end of her tenure on 31 March 2025

About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website: optical. org

About the Council
The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in the optical professions.  The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians).  At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders. 

Remuneration and time commitment

Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses) which is linked in the candidate pack.  The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.

The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at 10 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7NG. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight on Sunday 17 November 2024.

Online interviews will be held on between Monday 27 – Thursday 30 January 2024.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

Are you a detail-oriented, motivated, and focused professional? As we embark on a new five-year strategy, we are seeking a Network and Learning Coordinator to support the development, implementation and engagement in our Advantaged Thinking Learning Community (ATLC) framework and digital platform across our national network of youth Foyers.

Position: Network and Learning Coordinator

Accountable to: Head of Programmes and Network

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £28,000-32,000 per year, based on experience

Benefits include: Contributory Pension Scheme; Enhanced Maternity/Paternity package; Own Macbook, iPhone and support to work from home; Training and development; travel expenses; Annual leave increases year on year after 3 years service (up to 30 days), Discretionary 3 days leave at Christmas.

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Location: Home-based with some travel to Foyers and team meetings

Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Application deadline: 7th November 2024

First Interviews (Online): 14th and 15th November 2024

Second Interviews (In Person): 21st or 22nd November 2024

How to apply

Please download the job pack below and send a copy of your CV, a completed application form and the equality and diversity form to inbox[at]foyer[dot]net

Power to Change is the think-do tank that backs community business. We turn bold ideas into action so communities have the power to change what matters to them. We know community business works to build stronger communities and better places to live. We’ve seen people create resilient and prosperous local economies when power is in community hands. We also know the barriers that stand in the way of their success. We’re using our experience to bring partners together to do, test and learn what works. We’re shaping the conditions for community business to thrive. 

To do that, we need strong relationships in politics and in government at a time where there is an exciting opportunity to shape the conditions for community business to thrive. The External Affairs Officer will provide essential support across the organisation by identifying key stakeholders and determining the most effective tactics to build and maintain relationships in both politics and government. This includes monitoring parliamentary and political developments to spot opportunities, drafting high-quality briefings, articles and press releases, as well as coordinating politically-focused events, such as those held at party conferences. 

Check out our Job Description for further details on this role, including how to apply.

Having recently secured a strategic partnership with Sport England, this role will play a pivotal role in activating the research activities that are required to inform the Leadership Skills Foundation and the wider sector to empower a more diverse range of young people with opportunities to develop essential leadership and life skills, regardless of their background.

You will be a valued manager within the ‘Programme Delivery’ team and will work with other departments across the organization to support the development of future accessible and inclusive essential leadership programmes. With a key focus being on the needs, benefits and outcomes required among underserved and/or under-represented communities and individuals.

This role will require positive and proactive internal working relationships to be created with other teams and colleagues to support organisational objectives and goals.

In addition, the role will also be required to foster relationships with external stakeholders to shape the research that you will manage through your team.  This work will support the development of our programmes to engage thousands more young people and give them the essential leadership skills for them to believe, lead and succeed.

We’re looking for a confident, collaborative research manager that wants to make a positive social difference through research.  This role will inform the changes that are required within the organisation’s programmes and support the sector to give access to essential leadership skills development to under-served communities through breaking down barriers.

Role duties and responsibilities

1. Manage research and impact projects and activities, internally and externally, in support of our programme delivery strategic goals.
2. Develop and manage research proposals and methodologies to address strategic goals. 
3. Manage both primary and secondary research using a range of methodologies. 
4. Interpret and analyse research to derive meaningful insights and provide actionable recommendations.
5. Present research findings, into clear, actionable recommendations, and compelling presentations that facilitate informed decision making across all levels of the organisation. 
6. Identify and recommend new research and evaluation projects and approaches which address gaps in our current evidence base. 
7. Engage with the Leadership team and Head of Programme Delivery to understand the organisation’s research requirements and align with organisational goals.
8. Manage other researchers providing guidance and support in their professional development.
9. Contribute to the research project budgeting process, ensuring efficient use of resources. 
10. Scope and produce ‘Invitations to Tender’ for commissioned research and manage the commissioning process, ensuring that the proposed research meets required objectives. 
11. Manage commissioned research contracts, including monitoring progress, reviewing and editing reports. 
12. Foster collaborative internal relationships to drive a culture of research driven decisions throughout the organisation. 
13. Build and maintain relationships with external partners and funders and communicate key findings where required. 
14. Ensure all research activities comply with ethical standards. 
15. Maintain an awareness of new research developments across the sector and use this to inform planning and decision making.   

People Management Responsibilities

• Delivery Programme Research Executive (0.8)
• Working with other managers whose direct reports will support the delivery of programme goals and activities

Key Relationships

Internal

• Line Manager: Head of Programme Delivery
• Direct report: Delivery Programme Research Executive
• Departments: Innovation, Marketing and Communications
• Leadership Team including - Directors of: Innovation & Standards; Engagement; Finance and Operations, and Chief Executive.
• Finance Manager

External

• Strategic partners including organisations such as Sport England.
• National and regional network and research partners.
• Key local delivery centres

Skills, experience and knowledge

Required/essential:

• Educated to degree level in a subject with substantial statistical or research content.
• Proven experience of working in a relevant research role. 
• Experience of leading/managing a range of different research projects, using a range of both primary and secondary research methodologies to gather both qualitative and quantitative research. 
• Experience in designing and leading high quality research proposals and tenders.
• Demonstratable experience and evidence of aligning research projects and activities with strategic goals and informing organisational decision making.
• Experience of formulating research reports and making recommendations in a range of easy to read and innovative formats.   
• Proven track record of building and nurturing highly effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior colleagues and external funders or partners. 
• Effective communication skills with the ability to present information confidently to a diverse range of stakeholders, including leadership team, funders and external partners.
• Excellent project management skills and experience of leading research projects on time and on budget.  
• Strong organisation skills, ability to multi-task and work effectively in a busy team environment. 
• Able to deliver at pace ensuring efficiency.
• Excellent listening and recording skills to effectively evidence the findings of research. 
• Understanding of ethical standards and practices in research including potential issues.
• Complete and finish tasks independently and/or as part of a team. 
• Show competence with IT (including Microsoft Office). 

Desired:

• Line management experience
• Knowledge and understanding of the sector, including trends, challenges, and best practices
• Experience of researching on funded projects and meeting grant requirements.

 Personal qualities

• A confident, collaborative manager that wants to make a positive social difference.
• Pro-active with the ability to work on own initiative collaboratively and independently.
• Effective and confident communicator.
• Adaptable to operational requirements with an openness to give and receive constructive feedback as part of a growth mindset.
• A creative, problem solver with the ability to think critically and analyse a range data. 
• An ability to travel across the UK is required.

Senior Peer Support Development Officer – North West

About Kinship:

Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We offer kinship carers financial, legal, practical and emotional support and understanding from the moment they need it, for as long as they need it. Our expert advice, information and guidance helps with complicated and stressful decisions that so many kinship families have to make. We are always there to support them through challenging times and celebrate the good. 

Kinship carers are strong and determined. Together, they are powerful. We help them build communities of support and action by connecting families locally and across England and Wales. 

We are at the heart of kinship networks, partnering with and influencing service providers, local and national government and other organisations. We give everything we have to fight for each family and their rights, changing society until every kinship family is recognised, valued and supported. 

Kinship care often begins in crisis. A child has parents who are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It can be frightening, confusing and heart-breaking.

Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. There is often no chance to prepare. Plans may be pushed aside. Relationships, jobs and savings are frequently sacrificed.

It is life changing and challenging raising children who have been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first. We know how hard life can be for kinship carers, but we have seen the amazing things they are capable of, with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families can flourish. 

That is why we support, connect and campaign – to keep kinship families stronger by keeping them together.

About the Team

The Peer Support and Community team at Kinship is dedicated to enhancing the lives of kinship carers across England and Wales by delivering the first national peer support service. With a focus on building and sustaining networks of peer support groups, the team aims to empower kinship carers through access to resources, training, and development opportunities.

By fostering connections within local, regional, and national ecosystems, the team plays a vital role in ensuring that every kinship carer has access to a supportive community.

As part of our commitment to growth and impact, the team develops innovative approaches to peer support, creating an inclusive environment where kinship carers can share experiences and access essential services. We prioritize collaboration across various departments, ensuring that support group leaders receive high-quality advice and training, facilitating their sustainability and effectiveness. This integrated approach also includes alignment with national and local campaigning efforts to further engage and support the kinship carer community.

In line with our strategic focus on cultivating a vibrant Kinship Community of over 10,000 carers, the team leads initiatives aimed at enhancing community connection and empowering kinship families. By developing a robust model of community engagement that encompasses both in-person and digital services, the team aims to amplify the voices of kinship carers, enabling them to effect meaningful change in their lives and communities.

 About the role

This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form Peer Support Groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national Hub. You will do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers. You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment. Funded by the Department of Education, the National Peer Support Service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and two years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.

Who we are looking for:

We are seeking an individual located in or around Greater Manchester, and willing to travel across the North West of England who possesses the drive, passion, and skills to:

· Establish new Peer Support Groups across a diverse range of communities

· Supervise a small team of Peer Support Development Officers

· Demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm required to inspire yourself and your team to achieve key targets and objectives

· Work collaboratively within the Peer Support and Community Team, as well as throughout the broader organisation, to ensure the delivery of safe and effective support services for the kinship community.

· Maintain current Peer Support Groups, taking the lead from the national Hub.

· Maintain accurate records that are used to populate reports, identify learning and share key insights across Kinship that allow the organisation to continuously improve our services and products.

In the role of Senior Peer Support Officer, you will be instrumental in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, consistent, and sustainable peer support service that has a significant impact on the lives of kinship carers.

You should have experience in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with various community-based stakeholders such as local authorities, health services, schools, charities, and kinship carers. You will need to understand the key success factors involved in establishing and developing new in-person groups in areas of high need, as well as how to support existing groups in their journey towards sustainability.

As a practical thinker, you will work creatively to identify stakeholders and assets in areas of high need. You will build local connections and bring together kinship carers across the region, empowering them to build resilient and robust peer support communities.

You will be confident in building relationships that generate referrals from external stakeholders and in contacting kinship carers directly to secure engagement with local coffee mornings, community, and training events that will help kick start a thriving peer support group.

As you establish new groups, you will provide training to help them lead their groups effectively, and develop their group culture, resilience, and skills to function independently while offering reassurance and support to empower them.

You will be an inspirational and energetic team leader with experience in providing day-to-day line management and operational support for a small team.

We are ideally looking for candidates based in or around Greater Manchester but willing to work initially across the whole of the North West. This role may involve working to establish groups in West Yorkshire and into North Staffordshire.

A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are essential, as this role may require travel across London and its periphery to reach areas in need of dedicated support.

Key responsibilities: 

Service delivery:

• In person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local and regional communities including setting up and attending local engagement events.
• Work creatively to set up and develop new sustainable in peer support groups, attending up to six sessions in person (if needed) before transition to self-sufficiency.  Existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support will need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreements across the team, in addition to new groups. 
• Recruit and retain support group leaders to develop their peer support groups.
• Deliver training to support group leaders (group roles and responsibilities, safeguarding, setting up, running and promoting a group).
• Develop strong boundaries and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment and community.
• Support established groups in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community. 
• Help develop and deliver a service blueprint for sustainable peer support groups, thinking strategically about how to develop groups.
• You'll collaborate closely with the ‘Hub’ team to provide a joined up and positive user experience for kinship carers. This collaborative approach is key to our success and ensures that kinship carers receive the best possible support.
• Manage special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘Hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners. 

Service quality, development and data management:

• Accurately record all recruitment, contact information and volunteer case management in Salesforce in line with service framework and data protection requirements.
• Ensure accurate data entry in Salesforce to support service performance, evaluation and learning.
• Provide regular reports to ensure targets and SLA are met for the service.
• Support continuous development and improvement of the service (new systems and processes) as required.

Management and supervision: 

• Inspire, motivate and be responsible for day-to-day line management and supervising up to 4 staff members
• Oversee tactical development of new sustainable groups in your area and your team.
• Help set clear objectives to achieve targets and outcomes.
• Actively encourage personal development and learning.
• Increase efficiencies and impact across the team.
• Ensure good team induction processes and systems are in place.
• Role model Kinship values. 

Team culture:

• Act in the best interest of Kinship and the families we support.
• Maintain and contribute up to date understanding of kinship care.
• Deliver effective administration with attention to detail and keeping to deadlines.
• Identify and contribute to appropriate case studies to demonstrate the impact of Kinship services and contribute to policy and campaigns work.
• Actively contribute to delivering and evidencing a high performing service.
• Take responsibility for your ongoing continued professional development.
• Work in line with the Kinship values.

 Knowledge, abilities, skills and experience (person spec):

 Essential: 

• Experience of team leadership or line management and supervision of a small team and managing performance to deliver targets effectively.
• Proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person.
•  Experience developing peer support communities.
• Proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers. 
• Proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services is evidenced through high-quality data collection. 
• Evidence of delivering training/support to volunteers,
• Strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user led groups with charity beneficiaries. 
• Understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families. 
• Excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail.
• Full driving licence and use of a car for work purposes.

 Desirable:

· Lived experience of kinship care.

· Understanding of children’s social care.

· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc).

· Full, clean driving licence/own car.

 General characteristics and attributes:

· Flexible and willing to travel for work across England and Wales.

· Drive and have access to a vehicle.

· Commitment to the values, aims and objectives of Kinship.

· A real commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within your role and a respectful approach to working with people from a range of backgrounds.

· Good standard of written and spoken English.

· Permission to work in the UK.

· Able to remain focused on the primary task of establishing new peer support groups, ensuring that more kinship carers have access to high-quality peer support.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion 

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

Candidate Application Information

Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing date and interview details:

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews:  1st Interview Week Commencing 4 November

2nd Interview Week Commencing 11 November

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.

We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply.  Please let us know if we can help and remember that you can request information in large print or in a different format.