Library Jobs

About Us

Hibiscus Initiatives is a passionate, women’s organisation, delivering high impact advocacy and advice services for more than 35 years to those at the intersection of the Criminal Justice and Immigration systems. As an organisation, we have distinct expertise in working with Black and minoritised women in prison, in the community and in immigration removals centres.

Our holistic and trauma informed approach makes a real and lasting impact on women's lives. We aim to make a difference within the criminal justice and immigration systems too by working with women and amplifying their own voices, so their experience is recognised by those making policy decisions

We are particularly keen to attract talent from Black and minoritised communities and those with lived experience of immigration, the criminal justice systems, and/or gender-based violence.

Hibiscus adopts anti-racist; anti-oppression, and feminist principles and believes in the importance of nurturing a diverse team who can embody these principles.

We are committed to the wellbeing and development of our staff. We provide regular training and other learning opportunities and offer wellbeing classes and activities, clinical supervision, an Employee Assistance Program and other benefits to support staff wellbeing.

This post is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9 paragraph 1, Equality Act 2010.

About the Role

We are now recruiting for a Fundraising and Grant Management Specialist to support the Senior Leadership Team in developing and implementing Hibiscus’ Fundraising & Partnerships Strategy.

The successful candidate will be motivated and passionate about the rights of migrant women affected by the criminal justice and immigration systems, and will workThis post holder will identify and plan funding approaches in support of the organisation’s aims and objectives. They will manage current funding relationships whilst developing strong relationships with new funders who can support the charity’s work long-term. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a rolling programme of applications, planning compelling and targeted proposals in support of Hibiscus’ work and develop a fundraising database to track applications. This will involve exploring opportunities for Hibiscus to diversify its funding, working with SLT and the board to identify and cultivate strategically appropriate contacts. The post holder will also be responsible for ensuring stakeholder engagement by producing reports and updates for doners and trusts, facilitating the trauma-informed participation of Hibiscus’ service users in fundraising and establishing good working relationships with colleagues. They will play an active role in communicating relevant information to colleagues, and will work with colleagues to develop impactful, meaningful and data driven proposals.

The successful candidate be responsible for maintaining Hibiscus’ fundraising and development libraries, resources, and directories, including accurate records to monitor feedback. They will support the management of a case studies library, and work as part of the wider team, encouraging dialogue, promoting understanding and championing the work of Hibiscus.

[Please note: Successful candidates will need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years to ensure the clearance process is authorised.]

Salary
 £30,500 - £34,000 *
*negotiable up to the mid-point of the salary band, depending on experience  

Team
Operations

Duration
12 months (possible extension subject to funding)

Hours
Full-time (35 hours per week)

Location
Hibiscus Head Office and across London, with flexible working arrangements considered.

Reporting to
Director of Operations

About You

We are particularly keen to attract talent from Black and minoritised communities and those with lived experience of immigration, the criminal justice systems, and/or gender-based violence.

The successful candidate will be motivated and passionate about the rights of migrant women affected by the criminal justice and immigration systems, with successful fundraising experience and excellent writing, research, and stakeholder engagement skills. They will have a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field, and/or experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies to a high standard.

The candidate will have strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills, be able to set personal priorities, objectives and deadlines while maintaining a focus on key organisational and strategic priorities. They will work effectively as part of a team and demonstrate significant emotional resilience and intelligence. They will be familiar with and confident navigating data protection in relation to fundraising, always ensuring their work is grounded in the ethos, aims and objectives of Hibiscus Initiatives and human rights in general.The successful candidate will be able to acquire new skills and demonstrate a strong commitment to learning. Political awareness and knowledge of political developments in immigration law and policy is desirable. They will demonstrate a commitment to Hibiscus' ethos aims and objectives, including having an intersectional and anti-racist approach to the work and a comprehensive understanding of one of more of Hibiscus’ key work areas.

Work with us - be our next Library Manager in Kingswood

Our current Library Manager for Share Bristol Kingswood has been promoted to Share Bristol Development Manager, so we are looking for a motivated and organised people-person to be our new lead in Kingswood.

Job title Library Manager (Kingswood)
Reports to: Development Manager
Based from: Share Bristol Kingswood, 1-5 High St, Kingswood, BS15 4AA.
Work pattern: £12.75 per hour, around 15 hours a week – some flexibility for the right candidate.
Contract: Permanent

If you’re passionate about sustainability and our local communities, love working with people and things, can find your way around a sander and a spreadsheet, and want to work part-time for a local charity, then we’ve got a really lovely job for you.

We’re looking for someone to start as soon as practical, and work around 15 hours a week. The working hours will be mainly around when we are open for lending sessions, and will include some Saturday shifts (9.30am to 3pm). The pay is £12.75 on commencement, and you benefit from free membership of Share Bristol, so you can borrow whatever you want, whenever you want for free!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Closing date: 9am on Monday 2nd December 2024.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Please note: The successful candidate must have the legal right to work in the UK and will be required to have a Basic DBS.

No agencies please.

The Senior Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs Manager will drive growth and retention, provide strong advocacy for the library, information, and knowledge management profession, and ensure effective, joined-up marketing, communications, and public affairs activities. Working closely with the Business Development Director, you will play a pivotal role in achieving CILIP’s goals and demonstrating strong advocacy for our profession.

Full Time 35 hours per week | Fixed Term 12 months | Hybrid | Closing Date 28th November 2024
Salary: £50,085

Job Reference: SMC01 (Please quote this on any correspondence)

An exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the success of the leading professional body for librarians and information professionals.

The Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is a London-based charity with a friendly, hardworking team supporting our members in the UK and internationally.  We are the only independent voice for the UK’s information profession. We are guided by our Royal Charter to develop and improve library and information services.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in leading, developing, and managing high-performing teams within a marketing and communications context. They will possess a creative flair, strong editorial judgment, and an eye for detail, capable of developing compelling copy and engaging ideas. The successful candidate should have a proven track record in developing and implementing effective marketing and communications campaigns, including digital campaigns, and have experience working with national and international media. They should also demonstrate strong networking skills, political awareness, and the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders. Experience in the membership sector, charitable context, or information, knowledge, or library sectors would be advantageous.

Responsibilities of the role include:

• Develop and execute integrated marketing and communications strategies across all channels to support CILIP’s objectives, particularly focusing on member retention and recruitment.
• Oversee media and public affairs activities, including planning proactive PR campaigns, managing crisis communications, and maintaining CILIP’s reputation as a thought leader.
• Engage and influence key stakeholders through effective public affairs strategies, growing CILIP’s profile, and positioning CILIP strategically on key policy issues.
• Ensure consistent use of CILIP’s brand guidelines and collaborate with the Editor-in-Chief for a unified content strategy.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of marketing and communications initiatives, making data-driven improvements to enhance performance.

About CILIP

The Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is the UK’s library and information association. We promote education, literacy and prosperity for all by raising standards in libraries, information and knowledge management. We work to improve services, develop our members’ expertise and champion the sector. We are the only independent voice for the UK’s information profession. We are guided by our Royal Charter to develop and improve library and information services.

This is a fabulous opportunity to join a modern charity and professional body. CILIP is at an exciting phase in its growth with significant investments in member offerings and digital transformation plans.

Why work for CILIP Hybrid working

• 26 days' annual leave plus public holidays (pro rata’d for part time employees)
• The option to buy up to 5 days' additional annual leave
• Generous pension scheme (Employer contribution of 10%, employee contribution of 5%) including death in service benefit
• Access to CILIP’s Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous enhanced leave benefits, including occupational sick pay, maternity leave, paternity leave and carers leave
• Annual flu vaccination voucher
• Perkbox employee discounts and wellbeing hub
• Contribution to eye tests

Job Title:Technical Lead

Reporting To: Director of IT and Data Security 

Location: Hybrid (Our offices are based at Phoenix Brewery, W10 6SZ)

Contract: Full Time, 12 Month Fixed Term Contract 

Salary: Up To £65,000

Benefits:

• Enhanced policies including 25 days annual leave per year, plus public holidays;
• Company electronic devices;
• Competitive pension;
• Remote and flexible working;
• Excellent opportunities for training and career progression.

Closing date: 13th December 2024

Job Purpose

Create and operate MHI’s technical capability to create and manage products and services. Do so whilst balancing the needs of product, engineering, security and compliance.

Main Responsibilities

Primary

• Develop a set of appropriate methodologies and standard patterns for delivering new products and services. Ability to create quick mock-ups and prototypes.
• Employ aspects of product management, solutions architecture, technical design and testing practices. 
• Consider products and services with respect to their lifespan, expected change frequency, support and maintenance requirements.
• Know how to deliver value quickly without compromising security and data protection concerns. 
• Expert knowledge of a range of technologies and languages, with the ability to be hands on and lead a small team of engineers. 
• Ability to consider and select the most appropriate technologies by considering trade-offs, implications, constraints and the needs of the organisation.

Leadership and people

• Inspire technical members of staff, help them grow and follow best practices consistently.
• Manage the concerns of interested parties (internal and external).

• Align all activities to MHI objectives and short term priorities, develop work plans to ensure resource allocation to meet needs.
• Lead on solutions and drive initiatives, ensuring the team delivers on projects

Ways of working and team culture

• Work with the Director to embed the delivery methodologies across the team and organisation.
• Encourage better ways of working to aid ‘shift left’, compliance, automated change and release Where necessary, work to change the mindset and get team buy-in
• Challenge the status quo and manual processes, identifying initiatives to remove bottlenecks
• Ensure best practice followed for implementation, test and verification, change and release
• Apply a culture of continuous improvement based on cost and benefit

Service delivery

• Take on ownership of projects as required
• Define KPIs and metrics to improve observability and drive improvements

• Create a system that keeps the Director informed of progress and issues.
• Ensure service excellence across all MHI staff and data services
• Define project deliverables (definition of done, acceptance criteria) and overseeing delivery. 
• Manage internal and external stakeholders, and represent the Technology Team in partner/supplier meetings.
• Contribute to the selection and due diligence of supplier contracts

Security and data governance

• Ensure development and run best practices are followed and aligned with our ISMS.
• Where required, contribute to cyber registers, documentation and audits (may include ownership and key deliverables strongly tied to IT domain).
• Contribute to data custodian responsibilities 

Person Specification

Essential 

• Knowledge of coding concepts and structures. 
• Experience in one or more of the following: 
  • Core cloud concepts, architectures and best practices (AWS preferred).
  • Ability to act as a data custodian for high-value data, awareness of security and compliance obligations, control options
  • Terraform and/or Cloudformation
  • Github, github actions
  • Docker, Kubernetes
  • Amplify
  • React, node.js, next.js
  • Python, exposure to other languages beneficial (e.g. Java/Kotlin)
  • DynamoDB, mongoDB, RDS
  • Working knowledge of systems lifecycle and the ability to work with key stakeholders
  • Knowledge of single sign on, federated identity and related protocols
  • OKTA
  • Monitoring and troubleshooting
  • Knowledge of high availability architectures
  • CRMs (we use Salesforce)
  • Google Workspace
  • Atlassian (JIRA, Confluence)
  • Mac/iOS and Chrome OS/Chrome Enterprise
  • Understanding of encryption technologies, symmetric/asymmetric, TLS
  • Understanding of RESTful APIs and LTI
• Project management and/or service creation experienced
• Excellent documentation skills
• Experience of supporting critical IT systems
• Excellent communicator both written and verbal
• High problem solving ability, ability to work independently and with ambiguity
• Discipline to stick to development and security best practices and hold ground, whilst remaining pragmatic
• Must have a drive for continuous learning, be committed to learning new skills and/or passing certifications. Must keep up with industry trends and technologies
• Comfortable performing a wide range of activities, including stretching to new skill/experience areas.
• Ability to manage own time, confirm priorities and expectations
• Independent worker, but knows when to ask questions, but comfortable working with the wider IT and Security Team whole organisation
• Creative thinker, but understands the importance of seeing a piece of work through to the end and on time.
• Decisive, proactive, knows when to check the boundaries. 

Desireable

• Good University Degree (thinking skills valued over subject)
• Exposure to ITIL (ITIL Foundation or higher preferred)
• Knowledge of ISO 27001 controls and CyberEssentials + 

We will be interviewing on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of applicants.

Job Title

Graduate Commercial Bid Writer

Grade

GRADE 7

Reports to

Head of Commercial Bid Writing  

Responsible for

N/A

Job purpose

As part of the bid writing team be accountable for writing multi million pound winning bids for agreed contracts, tenders and frameworks in line with the agreed operating model, enabling United Response to retain and grow income in a sustainable way.

Key responsibilities

Bid writing

· Writing high quality and innovative responses in tenders and framework that are representative of United Response work in collaboration with Operation colleagues and Relationship Managers that will lead to winning multi million pound partnerships

· Working closely with the Principle Commercial Bid Writer, Heads of business development, operational subject matter experts to ensure that all tenders, are written to an excellent standard and meet necessary criteria within internal and procurement timeframes.

· Editing and copywriting content to provide consistent and engaging written submissions.

· To articulate and illustrate information provided to you as well as work up concepts into creative and innovative ideas, in line with The United Response strategy and brand. This will include research, example gathering, development of new initiatives and engaging internal and external stakeholders, to include in model development and submissions which will lead to significant increases in income.

· Working with the Principle Commercial Bid Writer to develop a library of sector leading stock responses ensuring tools, examples and information are kept up to date and properly represents the work we do

· Write excellent bids, that bring our offer to life and win UR the contracts

Budgets and Critical Analysis

· Develop comprehensive blue prints for each of our contracts, which will include:

o Rigorous and comprehensive cost benefit analysis for all of our services and bids.

o Experience of developing significant comprehensive budgets for bids to ensure that the ROI is met ensuring sustainable contracts.

o A full risk assessment for the contract to inform decision making for a bid no bid scenario.

Best Practice and Learning

· Keep abreast of latest innovations and research to include in responses.

· Work with colleagues in Operational, Quality and Practice teams to ensure the best practice is shared and knowledge and management information is both used in tenders and available to the organisation.

· Research and data collection for bids, contributing as actively to bespoke model design and innovation development.

· Evaluate and improve future submissions utilising bid feedback and good practice from successful bids, taking a lead and ownership of the Response Library.

Opportunities

· Develop strong and effective communication and relationships across the organisation to understand opportunities and requirements that will take key stakeholders on the bid development journey.

Information & Governance

· Ensure that all processes, procedures and systems to support income generation are followed in accordance with best practice and Information Governance Policies.

· Ensure that United Response and partner’s intellectual property and commercially sensitive information is protected and used appropriately.

· Ensure confidentiality of our people and the people we support is maintained at all times.

Service User Engagement

· Always act as a champion of United Response and local partnerships internally and externally, modelling appropriate behaviours.

· Engage in and instigate true co-production, devolved decision making and strengthening the voices of the people we support.

· Develop and/or build strong and positive relationships with key stakeholders and where required commissioners.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Part One – Experience

We will be looking for evidence of your:

· Credibility in your potential to write multi million pound sector leading bids and frameworks in the social care sector.

· Credibility in building relationships with operational colleagues and other key stakeholders.

· Credibility in developing rigorous and comprehensive cost benefit analysis for multi million-pound contracts and tenders.

· Supporting colleagues to think differently, developing bids that are easy to read and impactful.

· Understanding of how to deliver social purpose in a business-like manner, good business and financial planning skills and proven track record in delivering against financial targets and managing business risk.

· Commitment to co-production with people we support and their families/advocates.

Part Two - Key Competencies

We will be looking for evidence that you:

· Exceptional writing and communication skills.

· Analytical with an eye for detail.

· Have strong & practical understanding of how to write powerful bids in personalised public services.

· Can critically appraise ideas, proposals, and operating models to ensure that the bids we submit are deliverable and achieve agreed operating margins.

· Ability to work at pace and can juggle competing demands, making reasoned decisions about priorities.

• Can apply project management techniques appropriately to the scale of the task in hand.

· Can harness creative thinking and innovative approaches both of your own and enable others to apply these to deliver practical outcomes.

· Can strike a balance between tried & tested approaches while being willing to take calculated risks in developing new ways of doing things.

· Can show resilience when needed for yourself and assist others to develop this.

· Can hold colleagues to account in an appropriate way to provide high quality information needed for the bids.

Part Three - Personal Style and Behaviour

We will be looking for evidence that you:

· Can describe what your commitment to the aims, values and goals of United Response looks like in practice.

· Have integrity and display courage in tricky situations.

· Work collaboratively with the Business Development team to help deliver exceptional results.

· Are articulate, able to transform complex and often technical subjects into clear messages, and with strong presentation skills, able to create concise yet robust bids.

Desirable criteria

· Volutary or employed bid writing experience

· Certificate in Bid Management or similar

About the role

The Head of IT Services is responsible for the management of all IT services for the Motability Foundation and delivery of our digital, data and technology strategy. Working in a single site environment, with a focus on Microsoft technologies, you will ensure that our business continues to operate successfully day-to-day and continues to evolve to meet future challenges.  

Role Accountabilities

Network and Systems

· Oversee and direct the development of infrastructure of IT applications, networks, security and telecoms.

· Ensure we have a robust IT business continuity plan that forms part of the overall business continuity strategy.

· Oversee and direct the procurement of IT hardware, software and maintenance in line with company policy.

· Ensure that all other IT policies and procedures comply with statutory and regulatory requirements, are regularly reviewed and the required audits are in place to ensure compliance.

· Oversee all data exchange procedures with Scheme Partners and Government Agencies.

· Ensure compliance with all hardware and software licensing requirements.

· Responsible for the management of hardware and software updates ensuring that all systems remain within support and meet the on-going requirements of the business.

· Ensuring that system and data security is continuously tested for new IT viruses, be alert to new security risks and have plans in place to deal with them.

IT Strategy

· Design and implement an IT roadmap for all hardware and software in line with the overall Motability Foundation digital, data and technology strategy.  

· Provide technical and professional support to the Executives in their longer-term review of IT investment strategy based on future business needs and processes.

· Provide leadership with regards to emerging IT opportunities and threats, providing recommendations to executives as and when required.

· Maintain our structured project development methodology to ensure that only relevant and supported projects are initiated.

· Ensure the successful delivery of approved IT projects against agreed timelines, deliverables, and budgets.

Partnering with the Business

· Act as a partner to the business in identifying and delivering digital, data and technology solutions to support business aims.

· Work with Senior Management, Scheme Partners and Suppliers to propose, agree and deliver an IT service to defined Service Level Agreements.

· Continuously seek feedback from the business on the service provided by IT and develop action plans to put in place improvements.

Leading the Team

· Manage, develop, and motivate the thriving internal IT team of 12.

· Monitor performance against service level targets ensuring constructive and rapid solutions to problems.

· Maintain staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; maintaining a safe and secure work environment; developing personal growth opportunities.

· Empower employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals. Delegate responsibility and expect accountability and regular feedback.

· Role model our values of being collaborative, respectful and evolving.

Managing our Costs

· Responsible for IT budget of c. £1.7million.

· Provide regular and ad-hoc reports to present to the Executive Team.

· Analyse problems, research solutions and present to the Executive Team.

· Raise and approve regular and ad-hoc IT purchase orders.

What will make you great in this role?

You will have excellent communication skills and a naturally collaborative approach to identifying problems, bringing together solutions, and creating a plan to deliver the changes to make a real difference to the system users. Your ‘can do’ attitude will be balanced with a pragmatic approach to problem solving and the ability manage a range of stakeholder expectations.

You will be passionate about IT adding value to the business and delivering support to our busy teams. Your ability to translate technical issues into meaningful plans will greatly help colleagues who will look to you to learn about new concepts and technologies.

Your experience

Must haves:

· Significant IT experience which includes a strong knowledge of Microsoft technologies (M365) and Networking (Lan/Wan Cisco technologies).

· Experience in IT infrastructure planning and development and managing significant capital projects and budgets.

· Possesses good knowledge of different software systems, client/service architectures and various compatibility requirements.

· Experience of managing suppliers and supplier relationships.

· Able to communicate and influence clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing.

· Ability to motivate and develop a diverse team.

· Maintain a broad and long-term perspective of IT developments to influence forward planning.

· Take ownership of and analyse problems, implementing practical solutions.

· Maintain organisational effectiveness and efficiency by defining, delivering and supporting strategic plans for implementing information technologies.

· Experience working within a not for profit environment.

Nice to haves:

· IT degree level (IT) or equivalent.

· MCSE/MCP certification.

· ITIL Foundation.

· Experience with Virtualization technologies.

· Experience of BCP/DR planning, implementation and testing.

· Experience of Cloud Computing/SaaS.

· GDPR awareness.

Reporting lines and relationships

Reports to: Executive Committee.

Key relationships: Motability Foundation Executive Committee, Board of Governors, Heads of Departments and Managers.

Direct reports: Team of 12 across Service Desk, IT Operations, Systems and Data and Security.

Extra Information

The role is based at our offices in Harlow, Essex which is easily commutable from London (30 minutes from Liverpool Street or 18 minutes from Tottenham Hale). We offer both blended and flexible working arrangements which can be discussed as part of the application process. It is expected that the role will be required in the office 2-3 days per week.

• 8.5% pension contribution after successful completion of probation period
• Open to part-time, job-share, and flexible working

Location: Our offices in Battersea Library or Roehampton and outreach locations including hospital settings. Home working possible following induction and initial training

About us

We’re a thriving advice organisation that is part of the national Citizens Advice network. Our services are delivered by a team of around 40 paid staff and 60 volunteers. We have a typical annual turnover of £2 million and in addition to our core advice service, funded by Wandsworth Council, we have a range of projects funded by trusts, foundations and our local Integrated Care System.

While we’re proud of the number of residents we support, we know that we can’t meet demand for advice and that marginalised communities don’t always come to established organisations for support. Because of this, we place equal value on improving reach and access through creative collaboration with equity-led organisations, partnership development and capacity building.

Why we need you

The Caseworker (Health Projects) role involves working across our Patient Welfare Advice Service (PWAS), which takes referrals from GPs and social prescribers, and our Macmillan Benefits Advice Service, which supports people affected by cancer. Our caseworkers help people navigate complex problems and find practical solutions. They have good technical knowledge of the social welfare issues that matter most to our clients and are responsible for delivering advice with a moderate level of supervision. They also have responsibility for managing incoming referrals and maintaining positive relationships with project partners. This is an advice role that involve providing casework support and could full-time role or two part time roles, which we’re happy to discuss following interviews.

If you don’t meet all the requirements of the person specification, we’ll consider offering this role at a lower salary range (Adviser rather than Caseworker), as it could be a could development opportunity for someone who wants to progress into a caseworker role.

Why you should join us

We’re a dynamic organisation with a culture of quality and innovation. We’re ambitious about delivering advice services that make a real difference to local people and being a great place to work and volunteer. You’ll be part of a diverse and friendly team of staff and volunteers who are passionate about helping the people who need us most. Working with us means seeing yourself and your colleagues have a positive impact on the lives of ordinary people and protecting our communities from hardship, poverty and crisis.

We also believe that investing in and listening to our teams makes us a better organisation. We involve staff and volunteers extensively in the design and delivery of our services, as well as in long-term planning. You’ll benefit from working at an organisation with a strong commitment to professional development and continuous training – we’re proud of our teams and in return offer excellent opportunities for personal development and career growth.

Our commitment to EDI

We’re passionate about promoting equity, valuing diversity and working inclusively. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people but particularly people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups and people with disabilities, as these groups are currently under-represented in our team.

Closing date: 10am on 6 December 2024
Interviews: 16 and 17 December 2024, Battersea Library, SW11 1JB

As the Senior MEL Officer in the MEL team, you will support the Head of Impact & Learning and the MEL Manager, as well as the Programmes & Impact department and wider team, to measure and analyse the quality and impact of our programming. You’ll use your strong organisation skills, experience in data collection and analysis, and ability to identify key trends and impact in our work. You will also work with colleagues across the organisation to ensure that our impact and expertise in working with women entrepreneurs is measured and communicated accurately and effectively to our Board of Trustees and external stakeholders.

Department purpose

This role sits within the Programmes & Impact department, which is responsible for the development and delivery of our programmes and services, ensuring they are delivered to a high quality, remain responsive to women entrepreneurs’ needs and have demonstrable impact. The department is divided into three teams: Entrepreneurship, which is responsible for delivery of services such as HerVenture and the four ‘Road to’ programmes, Mentoring, which is responsible for development and delivery of the Mentoring Women in Business programme, and MEL, which is responsible for quality impact measurement, analysis and research.

Key responsibilities

Main obligations

• Support the development and implementation of MEL systems and tools across Mentoring and Entrepreneurship projects, providing the Foundation with the necessary information to understand our impact and inform programme improvements.
• Support in collection and analysis of organisational KPIs and provide overall operational support for the MEL team.

Specific responsibilities

• Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
• Ensure up-to-date programme monitoring and evaluation materials (surveys, data collection tools and theoretical frameworks) are in place for existing programmes as well as those that are in development.
• In collaboration with colleagues in the Mentoring and Entrepreneurship teams, execute the annual calendar of programme and partner surveys, including uploading and testing the surveys.
• Develop analysis plans aligned to key research questions, programme goals and logical frameworks.
• Collect, clean and analyse quantitative and qualitative programme data aligned to programme goals, logical frameworks, organisational KPIs, and general summaries of findings.
• Collaborate with colleagues on the Mentoring and Entrepreneurship teams to support dissemination of programme findings and cross-site trends internally and externally.

Research and Evaluation

• Provide administrative, logistical and analytical support for programme evaluation and in-country data collection.
• Conduct desk research to support programme implementation and/or provide background and context for research and evaluation findings.
• Collect, clean and analyse data for Foundation-led or commissioned research and evaluations.
• Support development of tools and protocols for qualitative data collection, and conduct remote and in-country fieldwork, as needed.
• Project management and administration
• Attend and document monthly MEL meetings with colleagues in the Entrepreneurship and Mentoring teams.
• Support drafting internal and external reports to donors and in-country partners sharing programme outcomes and recommendations.
• Provide administrative support to the MEL team to organise and archive programme data, and anonymise PII in accordance with GDPR, under the direction of the MEL Manager.
• Maintain MEL data storage systems, including an organised library of accessible data collection tools and a database of vetted survey questions.
• aintain workplans for projects and workstreams (e.g. survey or reporting cycles).
• Provide cross-departmental support and advisory for using data
• Maintain and enhance the resources available on the MEL workspace and act as first responder to assigned data requests from other departments.
• Update slides, one-pagers and other resources describing programme reach and impact for use by the Partnerships team and others.

Other responsibilities

• Administrative support for the MEL team as needed, e.g., calendars, travel, agendas, record management.
• Ad hoc support to Chief Operating Officer in data collection and analysis, organisational and board reporting and dashboards.
• Work to protect and enhance the reputation of the Foundation, seeking opportunities to expand and promote awareness of the Foundation’s work.
• Ensure all people are treated with respect, compassion, justice and trust in the course of their work, thereby promoting the Foundation’s core values.
• Be familiar with and adhere to the Foundation’s policies and procedures.
• Other responsibilities may be added in line with experience and programme requirements.

 Person specification

• All applicants should already have the right to work in the UK. The Foundation does not offer sponsorship at this time.
• Essential criteria
• Two or more years of experience working in MEL, ideally related to international development.
• Experience with MEL tools and approaches for qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, including survey design and implementation, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and outcome harvesting.
• Good skills in MS Excel, PowerPoint and SurveyMonkey (or other survey tools such as Kobo Toolbox or Google Forms).
• Data collection, storage, analysis, and visualisation skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to juggle competing priorities while maintaining a meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to develop a clear narrative from data, pitched at an appropriate level for the target audience, and to develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Motivated to expand MEL knowledge and skills, proactively identifying skill gaps and seeking opportunities for training, coaching and development.
• Ability to solicit and integrate feedback into work products and incorporate learning into future work.
• Ability to excel in a collaborative environment, working within and across teams.

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of data collection challenges in low and middle income countries.
• Understanding of GDPR legislation and its application to MEL.
• Project or programme management experience.
• Basic understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics and one or more statistical packages such as SPSS, SAS, Strata or R.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Teams (or other project management/collaborative software) and Google open source suite of programmes, including Forms.
• Experience living and/or working in a low or middle income country.
• Understanding of key issues in women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and of gender and development.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.

Sightsavers implements projects in over 30 countries in Africa and South Asia working to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote the rights of people with disabilities.

Title: Inclusive Design Research Officer

Location: Haywards Heath – Hybrid working

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract

Salary: £28,682 to £33,743 depending on experience

Responsibilities 

• Design Research: Conduct research on local cultural contexts, using resources like the Sightsavers image and design libraries, and validate findings with local teams.
• Desk Reviews: Review existing interventions and resources, gathering performance data and liaising with programme teams and colleagues.
• User Testing: Organise user testing sessions, plan and schedule activities, and create summary reports of feedback.
• Media Research: Research local media penetration to understand the landscape for effective communication with target audiences.
• Meeting Administration: Support meeting administration by taking notes and capturing outcomes to inform design research.
• Design Training: Assist in planning and coordinating inclusive design training sessions, preparing materials, and providing support.
• Supplier Mapping: Identify local production suppliers and creative agencies, and research sources for copywriting and translation of project materials.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential Skills:

• Demonstrable professional experience in design research, working with communications, service, or product designers.
• Excellent organisational and research skills.
• Ability to own your sphere of work and adopt a flexible, collaborative approach.
• Demonstrable sensitivity working cross-culturally and with different demographic groups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: able to listen carefully, ask the right questions at the right time, and empathise and understand.
• Comfortable working to deadlines on multiple projects.
• A belief in the power of design and international development to make the world a better place.
• Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for disabled people.

Desirable Skills:

• Lived or cultural experience in any of the countries where Sightsavers operates.
• Proficiency in additional languages such as French, Portuguese, Arabic, Swahili, or Yoruba.
• Understanding of inclusive design principles and accessibility standards.

Closing date: 1 December 2024

Next Steps

To apply for this exciting new opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Location: Benin, Senegal, Guinea Bissau or Mali

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract

Salary: local terms and conditons apply

Responsibilities

• Design Research: Conduct research on local cultural contexts, using resources like the Sightsavers image and design libraries, and validate findings with local teams. 
• Desk Reviews: Review existing interventions and resources, gathering performance data and liaising with programme teams and colleagues.
• User Testing: Organise user testing sessions, plan and schedule activities, and create summary reports of feedback.
• Media Research: Research local media penetration to understand the landscape for effective communication with target audiences.
• Meeting Administration: Support meeting administration by taking notes and capturing outcomes to inform design research.
• Design Training: Assist in planning and coordinating inclusive design training sessions, preparing materials, and providing support.
• Supplier Mapping: Identify local production suppliers and creative agencies, and research sources for copywriting and translation of project materials.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential Skills:

• Demonstrable professional experience in design research, working with communications, service, or product designers.
• Excellent organisational and research skills.
• Ability to own your sphere of work and adopt a flexible, collaborative approach.
• Demonstrable sensitivity working cross-culturally and with different demographic groups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: able to listen carefully, ask the right questions at the right time, and empathise and understand.
• Comfortable working to deadlines on multiple projects.
• A belief in the power of design and international development to make the world a better place.
• Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for disabled people.

Desirable Skills:

• Proficiency in additional languages such as French, Portuguese, Arabic, Swahili, or Yoruba.
• Understanding of inclusive design principles and accessibility standards.
• Lived or cultural experience of any of our programme countries.

Please complete the application and submit your CV in English. Applications not in English may not be reviewed.

Next Steps

To apply for this exciting new opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.

Please complete the application and submit your CV in English to be considered for this role. We kindly ask for all applications to be in English to ensure a thorough review process.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Closing date: 1 December 2024

This is a vacancy for an established but growing Corporate and Community Fundraiser role in a Berkshire based charity, generating funds from local businesses and community groups, events and individuals. 

Camp Mohawk is a local but widely known and highly respected organisation, providing support services to children and young people with special needs and their families from our beautiful woodland site in rural East Berkshire. Camp Mohawk supports over 700 families from across the South / South East region, seeing over 17,000 visitors each year.

Many of our families and young people find it extremely difficult to access public play and leisure facilities, and the challenges they face with day-to-day life means that they are at significant risk of social isolation and deteriorating mental and physical health. Recent studies have found that families who have a child with special needs are experiencing significant pressure on their family finances, over and above those being experienced by the general population. Camp Mohawk is committed to a voluntary contribution system of charges for the families who use our service and with very limited government / local authority funding available we are therefore almost entirely reliant on grants and donations to make up our annual income requirements.

We have a vacancy for a dynamic, driven and experienced individual to join our small fundraising team, focussing on generating income from corporate and community sources and working closely with our Grants and Trusts Fundraiser. The successful applicant will be a superb communicator, with proven presentation and / or public speaking experience, allowing them to engage and enthuse diverse audiences of all ages. They will possess the skills and confidence to create and deliver persuasive presentations, write press releases, produce posters, leaflets and other written communications, and maintain and build our social media following on a variety of platforms.  Experience of planning and co-ordinating events and/or fundraising challenges, managing teams of volunteers and making pro-active approaches is desirable. They will possess good IT skills and will have a good understanding of financial reporting.

Working primarily from home or remotely (due to space limitations in our small office!), they will be highly self-motivated, driven and possess exceptional organisational skills. The role involves frequent travel locally for the purpose of visiting current and new contacts in the community and attending events, therefore the successful candidate will live locally and will need their own transport. Working hours can be flexible but the ability to work at occasional breakfast, evening and weekend events is essential. 

If you feel that you possess the skills and attributes this role requires, we would love to hear from you. 

Our Head of Children, Young People and Families leads the work of our Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) service and the Building Young Brixton (BYB) Partnership, and is a key part of the Senior Leadership team at High Trees, helping us achieve our ambitions across the board.

Our Children, Youth and Families work serves the Tulse Hill and wider Lambeth community, operating from our dedicated youth and play site at Tulse Hill Adventure Playground, where the CYPF team are based. We deliver a multi-faceted and integrated service allowing us to provide seamless support for children and young people from 8-18, including daily after school and weekend open access adventure play sessions, community and school based mentoring programmes, a work experience and youth leadership programme, and youth social action projects. We also deeply value collaboration with other youth and community organisations, and as Head of CYPF, you will also lead and contribute to a number of
youth partnerships that we manage, including Building Young Brixton. This will require demonstrable experience of running a multifaceted service – delivering several projects and programmes simultaneously and managing a team of staff – with the strong organisational, people skills and a collaborative approach that this requires. You will be an advocate for community based youth and play services and passionate about the value and impact of play, as our core offer is centred around our after school and holiday offer at Tulse Hill Adventure Playground.

You will be based at Tulse Hill Adventure Playground, and as a strong and inspiring manager you will lead a team of youth and play practitioners to deliver a range of dynamic, exciting, and meaningful services, ensuring the children who need them most are supported to play, develop, and thrive. You will take both an ambitious, organised, yet hands on approach to your management of the service - we are a small but dynamic team and truly believe services are best when all are involved, from management to practitioners. You will bring enthusiasm and passion to ensure an exceptional service for the children and young people we work with and continue to inspire your team, and the wider Building Young Brixton team, to grow and expand our reach.

Our local community is at the centre of everything we do and as a community-based service you will also understand the value of and build on our excellent relationships with local residents, organisations and statutory services, and help champion and ensure strong coordination and leadership of our youth partnerships. In order to achieve this you will have an excellent understanding of the landscape in which charities deliver their services and the statutory and funding frameworks within which we operate.

Salary: £31,133 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Location: Blackburn Central Library, the hub covers all of Lancashire

Hours: 37.5 per week

Closing date: Sunday 1st December at 11:30pm.

Do you have experience and ability in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy? If you are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, then join Shelter as a Housing Rights Worker and you could soon be playing a vital role in standing up to the housing emergency.

About the role

You will deliver high quality housing advice and advocacy in line with the hub’s local community priorities and work with people who are experiencing homelessness and bad housing to identify issues facing local communities.  You will plan and deliver casework to individuals and communities to resolve their housing situation and engage with community groups, local organisations and individuals to understand local housing issues and raise awareness of people’s rights.

You will also work in local community settings and with community groups to deliver advice and rights awareness workshops and make sure that people with lived experience of homelessness have opportunities to share their story, give their opinions and participate in the design and delivery of Shelter services.

Offering day to day support to volunteers, providing learning, shadowing and mentoring and being a consistent role model for our values are also key aspects of the role.

About you

You are able to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communities and with all stakeholders, including people with lived experience of homelessness. You will have experience, knowledge of and/or proven ability in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy and are able to progress to specialist level knowledge, as well as the ability to carry out casework related interviews, maintain detailed case records, advise and support clients to make informed decisions.

A proven record of delivering group workshops and presentations is essential, as is a collaborative, flexible and professional approach to your work.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About the Team

The Lancashire Hub has 25 staff and you will be a key member of the team defending the right to a safe home. Each of Shelter’s hubs has its own local priorities based on the issues our clients have. For Lancashire these are Homelessness and temporary accommodation, the private rented sector and social housing and people living in poverty.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything,

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

How to Apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and responses to the 'About You' points outlined in the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses:

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them

Do you want to work with a leading social justice charity organisation supporting those in need?

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.

About the role?

Reporting to the Bid Manager you will:

• Plan, write, edit and submit tenders owning an opportunity through all stages from tender release to submission
• Research and review opportunities, identifying key requirements and communicating the requirements effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Obtain information required to produce compelling, high-quality bids from internal and external stakeholders, including through own research
• Effectively work to bid project milestones to ensure timely submission
• Work collaboratively with key members of the operational teams to ensure that ways of working are positioned in line with USPs and agreed win themes
• Undertake in-team quality control of other writers’ bids to ensure that all submissions are the highest-possible quality
• Review submissions to drive continuous improvement through analysis of feedback, taking account of market knowledge and suggesting changes/improvements
• Continually update the information library for future bids, ensuring good knowledge of market competitors
• Work well with the wider team to ensure coordination and compliance of the defined bid process is maintained

About us

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services.  We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years.  We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

About you

We are seeking a Bid Writer to enhance our Business and Strategy Team. Experience in bid writing is desired, but not essential. We would like to hear from you if you are looking to enhance your writing skills and experience to create high-quality commercial bids. You should have good project management skills and be able to bring information from various sources into compelling written proposals. We welcome applicants who have recently graduated from university with a degree that demonstrates excellent analytical and writing skills. Reporting to the Bid Manager you will be a supportive team member able to work in a fast-paced environment, with competing deadlines and able to use your excellent communication skills to influence key stakeholders. Having experience of Local Government tendering would be an advantage.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Separate Life Assurance Cover
• Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
• Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme.
• Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance.
• Support with continuous professional development.

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact Human Resources for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on the advert page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications: Midnight on 2nd December 2024; however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to interview suitable candidates as applications are received and therefore withdraw the vacancy before this date.

Want to know more about VoiceAbility and the role? Click to apply to see more details.