Literacy Jobs

Flexible with 2 days per week in our London Head Office - Park Street, London Bridge

Closing date: Thursday 12th December 2024 at 11:59pm

Whizz Kidz is transforming. It is an exciting time to join us as a Partnerships Development Executive as we embark on an ambitious strategy for the next three years. Sitting within our Corporate Partnerships team this role will support the Head of Partnerships and Partnership Development Manager to develop and delivery of long-term relationships with companies – both large and small – so we increase the number, scale and value of corporate partnerships with the goal of providing more sustainable support for Whizz-Kidz. 

To achieve this you will proactively identify, research and quantify opportunities across priority sectors, manage your own prospect pipeline and work with internal teams to create a clear case for support that will help deliver shared purpose and shared value partnerships. You will play your part in helping build the Whizz Kidz brand, grow influence and drive income.

Whizz Kidz: the facts

Over 75,000 young people aren’t getting the wheelchair or support that fully meets their needs. Without the ability to be independent young wheelchair users are restricted in their ability to socialise and participate in society.

We’re here to change that.

As the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users (up to 25 years old), we empower young people by providing the wheelchairs, equipment, support and confidence-building experiences they need, and campaigning for a more inclusive society.

And we won’t stop until they are mobile, enabled and included.

The Fundraising and communications team at Whizz Kidz raises around 95% of the income to fund the work of the charity and supports the generation of funds through on and offline publications, develops our social media and website presence and leads on PR activities.

The person

As the Whizz Kidz Partnership Development Executive you will be encouraged to get into the heart of the organisation, understand our ambitions and use your passion, knowledge and skills to help identify and deliver new corporate partnerships. You will understand how to identify the right opportunities for Whizz Kidz and know what it takes to win and manage different types of partnerships. You will have solid written and verbal communication skills, be comfortable presenting and willing to develop and learn new skills.  You will be keen to play your part in helping the fundraising and marcomms team maintain a positive culture, increase brand awareness and unlock vital income to create positive change for young wheelchair users and their families.

Key accountabilities

• Support the Partnerships team in generating long term sustainable income (unrestricted/restricted) from the corporate sector by developing income first multi-year partnerships

• Create and deliver engaging and targeted new business proposals, pitches and presentations as well as creating compelling and persuasive cases for support to help secure and establish successful new partnerships

• Support team to achieve its financial targets through new and existing partnerships

• Researching and quantifying opportunities alongside identifying and cultivating relationships with new prospects with a view to securing face to face meetings and long-term support

• Ensure frameworks and legal contracts describing and defining funding relationships comply with charity, HMRC law and fundraising best practice.

Person specification

Skills and knowledge

• Positive outlook with ability to think creatively, commercially and embrace innovation

• Negotiation skills with ability to make financial asks

• Written communication – ability to write compelling cases for support and adapt communications to different audiences

• Verbal communication and interpersonal skills – ability to network and build relationships at all levels – internally and externally

• Able to prioritise a varied workload, work calmly under pressure and meet deadlines

• Enjoy working as part of a team and on own initiative with a proactive outlook

• Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Open to challenging the status quo in order to achieve the best outcome for Whizz Kidz

• Good level of computer literacy, including databases

Experience

• Previous experience and success in a Corporate Partnerships role

• Demonstrable experience of partnership development, securing new business and relationship management skills

• Experience of researching, preparing and delivering high-quality new business approaches/pitches to help engage potential partners

• Confident managing a prospect pipeline including employee engagement, strategic and commercial opportunities across different sectors

• Comfortable networking and working with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels

• Previous knowledge of fundraising databases

• Good knowledge of fundraising and changing trends especially in the corporate partnerships’ environment

• A ‘can-do’ attitude, solid decision-making skills and ability to work independently

• Able to work flexibly and creatively to respond to the emerging needs

Please note: This post is subject to a Basic level DBS Disclosure, which will be sought prior to the confirmation of a job offer.

A few perks

The wellbeing of our colleagues is of paramount importance to our success as an organisation, and we want to ensure that our benefits package provides for everyone!

Annual leave: 25 days of annual leave per annum plus Bank Holiday (pro-rata for part time colleagues).

Christmas closure: In addition to annual leave, employees get three days of paid Christmas leave.

Cycle to Work: This is salary sacrifice scheme provided by Cycle Scheme Ltd (part of Black Hawk), which allows you to purchase a bicycle up to the value of £1,000, saving tax and NI.

Maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy: Upon completing 1 years’ service by the Expected Week of Childbirth (EWC) or Expected Date of Placement (EDP) in the case of Adoption or Surrogacy, anyone on maternity leave will receive 8 weeks full pay (inclusive of statutory pay) and a return-to-work payment of 4 weeks full pay after six months of having returned to work. Anyone on paternity leave will receive 4 weeks full pay (inclusive of statutory pay).

Pension: Automatic enrolment for all colleagues with the option to opt out. Contributions of 5% gross salary made by both Whizz Kidz and employees. We will match higher contributions of up to 6% of gross basic salary.

Simply health: Automatic enrolment in a fully paid for cash plan that assists you with everyday health costs. This scheme is also available to your families for an extra charge.

Season ticket loan: An interest free loan of up to £5,000 following the successful completion of the Probationary Period.

Wellness Days: Two days per calendar year for employees to take off for any reason that you chose.

To apply

For full details and to apply, please click the apply button. 

Closing date: Thursday 12th December 2024 at 11:59pm

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

Sightsavers is looking for an Institutional Funding Senior Advisor

Salary:        £53,000 - £55,000 per annum

Location:UK remote - with occasional travel to Haywards Heath, when required

Contract: Permanent

Hours:        This is a full-time role with some flexibility around hours worked and lots of home working

About the role

We are looking for an individual with substantial experience of working in government or statutory funding to be responsible for developing institutional donor relationships, both directly and in support of other members of the Institutional Funding team. Working with the Director and Heads of Institutional Funding, the Senior Advisor will lead on contract management and maintain key institutional donor relationships for some of our largest funding agreements. The post holder will engage with senior internal stakeholders at head office, consortium working groups and country offices to support project implementation.

You will join at an exciting time for Sightsavers and the Institutional Funding team as we engage in new partnerships, supporting new contracts and bids.  Key accountabilities will include:

• building strategic relationships
• contract management
• bid development
• learning and continuous improvement

This is an ideal opportunity to build on your existing experience gained within an international development organisation. To succeed in this role, you will need:

• Substantial experience of working in government or statutory funding for an international development organisation
• Research experience (preferably including development of engagement plans or donor strategies)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• French language skills an advantage
• Experience and knowledge of the general international development environment
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills with exceptional networking skills
• Exceptional internal and external stakeholder management skills
• Exceptional reporting writing and proposal development skills
• Strong research skills with the ability to translate concepts into effective action plans
• Numerate with the ability to analyse complex financial and programme data
• Line management experience (preferable)
• Computer literacy using the Microsoft Office suite
• Ability to travel for up to four weeks per year travel to meet donors, accompany donors and support programme staff in the development of relationships at a country office / regional level
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for disabled people

This is a involved role, please read the full job description for further details. 

Benefits

Sightsavers offers some fantastic benefits. Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous annual leave allowance, pension, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym memberships and wellness discounts. If you choose to work in or are visiting our collaborative, modern office space, you will find it an easy 20-minute train journey from Brighton or 45 minutes from London.

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 note that there will be an expectation that you can occasionally visit our modern and collaborative offices in Haywards Heath, West Sussex (RH16 3BW).

We anticipate that remote interviews will take place on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 December 2024. The evaluation process will include a role-typical written task to be completed by shortlisted candidates in advance of this. We are looking for an individual able to start as soon as possible and ideally January/ February 2025.

Full time (flexible working options available)

Closing Date: 3 December 2024

Ref 6909

We are looking for a Global Programmes Coordinator (on a 6-month fixed term contract) to provide a range of administrative support to our Global Programmes Division, keeping it running smoothly and effectively.

About Us

We are Save the Children. Together, we fight for children every single day so that they can make their mark on the world and build a better future.

We stand side by side with children in the toughest places to be a child. We do whatever it takes to make sure they survive, get protection when they're in danger, and have the chance to learn.

About the role

The Global Programmes Coordinator will provide administrative support to the Global Programmes Division, helping to keep it running smoothly and effectively. This includes developing, coordinating, and updating key administrative, budgetary, planning, recruitment and information systems in support of divisional objectives. This essential role will work across a range of departments within the Global Programmes division (Divisional Operations, Humanitarian, Programme Partnerships and Programme Quality and Impact).

In this role, your Key Accountabilities will be: 

• Administrative Support: To develop and coordinate appropriate administrative systems, including: organising complex divisional or departmental level meetings, awaydays and events; coordinating desk booking and asset management; providing subject matter expertise (SME) for departmental staff organising their own travel.

• PA Support: To provide PA support to the Director of the Department or Global Programme Executive Director, including proactive diary management, meeting organisation, processing expense claims, collating briefings and pre-reads for meetings, responding to internal and external enquiries and booking travel.

• Team Support: To help teams navigate the processes that will support and enable administrative self-sufficiency.

• Finance: To support the processing of invoices and respond to queries from department and finance colleagues as necessary.

• People & HR: To support divisional or departmental HR processes through data collection and database management of mandatory tasks and training, providing SME support to people managers leading recruitment for their teams, and coordinating induction processes for utilisation by people managers for new staff. May provide more direct support to recruitment processes led by Directors.

• Internal Communication: To act as the initial point of contact for internal enquiries and requests for information about the work of the department, to triage or respond to ad hoc queries and to update information on the website, SharePoint and email lists.  May work with others on coordinating and producing departmental or divisional level communications such as newsletters.

• Other: To perform other responsibilities as may be required from time-to-time to ensure the smooth running of the division and department and to deputise for colleagues as required (including Coordinators covering other departments or supporting the Global Programmes Executive Directors).

About you

We are looking for a candidate that takes genuine satisfaction from keeping teams, systems and processes in order and that recognises the value of strong administration.

To be successful, it is important that you have:

• Experience of operating administrative systems and working in a large, complex office environment.

• Ideally experience of managing and booking international travel.

• A high level of computer literacy (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and databases).

• Ability to organise and prioritise multiple tasks efficiently and deliver tasks to tight deadlines.

• Ability to work flexibly, managing reactive and proactive work from a range of colleagues.

• Good relationship-building skills, with the ability to tailor communication methods to different audiences.

• Ability to be proactive and show initiative with demonstrable ‘can do' approach to work.

• Commitment to support cross organisational initiatives and team working and understanding of how to contribute to these.

 What we offer you:

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work.

• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day. 

Please Note: This role is a Hybrid role and so you will be expected to be able to come into our London, Farringdon office for 1-2 days a week

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Ways of Working:

The majority of our roles can be performed remotely in the UK, but there are likely to be times when you will be required to come to your contracted office (up to 2-4 days per month or 6-8 days per quarter).  This will be agreed with your Line Manager and team and is intended to be time spent on collaborating with colleagues and relationship building. 

Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense. 

Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

Prison Facilitator - HMP Birmingham

Location: HMP Birmingham
Salary: £22,067 (£27,584 FTE)
Hours: 28 hours (4 days a week)
Department: Prison delivery
Job Type: Part time
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Birmingham. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.

Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. 

This role is prison based and will be a fixed term role until October 2025, with the opportunity to be made permanent - subject to contract renewal.

Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

‍We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

‍Interviews are planned for week commencing 16th December 2024.

Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.

REF-218158

A fantastic charity providing services to unpaid carers are looking for a Service Manager, based in Surrey.

Location: Leatherhead in Surrey, with some working from home and within the community across Surrey

Salary: Circa £28,000

 As Service Manager, you will take the lead in the management of the charity’s care workers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing professional leadership and guidance to CSWs / CSAs through supervisions and observations, and staff meetings.
• Ensuring maximised usage of resource hours by concise completion of rostering for sector.
• Take the lead in the recruitment and interviewing of CSWs/CSAs for allocated sector.
• Being the first port of call for any safeguarding concerns in designated sector and ensure that fact finding process is followed correctly and reports are clear and concise.
• Completing 70% reviews of service provision and ascertain whether a referral to Surrey County Council is required.
• Submitting clear reports with regards to sector performance to Senior Service Manager each week.
• Ensuring all administrative responsibilities of the Service Manager role are carried out promptly and concisely.

 The successful candidate will have a Care Certificate and knowledge of CQC regulations and Health Care Act and an ideally an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care. Previous line management experience, ideally in a care setting, including rostering and completing observations and supervisions is key, as is a good level of IT literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word/Excel) and the ability to learn to use other digital platforms and software. Crucially you must have the ability to demonstrate dignity and respect for adults and children with care and support needs, and have a thorough understanding of the needs of unpaid carers.

CVs are being reviewed on a rolling basis, so if this sounds like you, then please do get in touch for more information ASAP!

Please note, only successful candidates will be contacted with further information.

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

We are looking for a Head of Business Development for an incredible social welfare charity, with a focus on bid writing and partnership development to develop emerging sources of funding. It is essential that you have a deep understanding ofthe justice sector. 

This role can be flexible on working options, but frequent and regular travel and attendance at the charity offices / sites across England and Wales is needed.

The Charity
Highly respected social welfare charity who work across England and Wales to develop a range of innovative services providing practical and emotional support.

You would be joining an inclusive, welcoming organisation with a diverse workforce of passionate individuals offering fantastic benefits, including flexible working arrangements, 30 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays per year and an employee assistance programme as well as much more!

The Role
To be responsible for the management of the bidding processes for identified grants and contracts

contribute to and support effective evaluation of the bidding strategy and achievements

Lead on new business development with regard to competitive tenders and commissioning opportunities within the public sector.

The Candidate
Demonstrable expertise and experience in the criminal justice sector and engagement of key players in the market.

Demonstrable track record of leading on and securing successful bids.

Experience of successfully recruiting, leading, managing and developing staff

Financial literacy with the ability to interpret management accounts, create and manage budgets.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful, but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators are looking for an experienced part qualified accountant/bookkeeper to support the CFO in all financial aspects for the Charity. This role will be a key member of the busy office team based at the Ranger's Office on Wimbledon Common.

While it is primarily focused on the Common’s bookkeeping, the role is also required to support the running of the main office and dealing with the general public as well as customers and suppliers. This is a new role and the successful applicant will be required to:

• Administer the day to day finances of the Charity.
• Maintain the General Ledger (Sage 50)
• Manage the Sales Ledger including raising invoices and Credit Control.
• Manage the Purchase Ledger, processing bank payments for approval.
• Submit monthly Payroll and Pension information.
• Ensure HMRC VAT and PAYE payments are made accurately on time.
• Take minutes for monthly Finance meetings.
• Support the general running of the office.

Applicants should have at least five years’ experience in a similar role. A recognised accountancy qualification would be of benefit as would experience of charity accounting. Good IT literacy (including experience of Sage and spreadsheets) and good communication skills are essential.

Ivy Rock Partners is delighted to partner with a globally renowned institution in search of a Senior Finance Business Partner. This exciting opportunity is an initial 3-6 month contract with scope to go permanent, ideal for a driven finance professional ready to take on a pivotal role in a dynamic, high-performing team.

The Role

As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you’ll bring your expertise to two key faculties, providing strategic and financial leadership. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, you’ll ensure that finance sits at the heart of decision-making processes. This is a role where you can make a real impact, combining strategic insights with hands-on financial management to drive operational and academic success.

What You’ll Do

• Take ownership of forecasting and reporting cycles, ensuring faculty income and expenditure budgets are both accurate and actionable.
• Provide expert financial analysis and insights to inform strategic decisions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, offering rigorous challenge and assurance across financial activities.
• Develop and implement tools for budgeting, costing, and forecasting, seamlessly integrating them into existing processes.
• Drive financial literacy and process improvements across the faculties, embedding best practices and ensuring robust financial controls.

What We’re Looking For

• Essential Skills & Experience: A professional accountancy qualification (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, or equivalent). Proven experience in management accounting and finance business partnering. Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders. Advanced Excel proficiency and strong financial systems expertise. A track record of engaging with senior stakeholders and operating under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Desirable Skills: Knowledge of financial systems such as Business World/Agresso/Unit 4. o Line management experience.

Why This Role?

• Competitive salary
• The chance to contribute to the success of world-leading faculties.
• A flexible working environment based in central London, with the opportunity to work remotely part of the week.
• The ability to grow your professional network in a globally recognized institution.

Please get in touch with Megan Hunter for a confidential conversation about the role.

Surrey Community Action exists to support Surrey’s voluntary sector, the diverse communities of Surrey, and other organisations who seek to work with both.  We do this in three main ways:

• Advocacy and Representation - ensuring that non-voluntary sector stakeholders understand the value of our sector and how to work together to achieve shared objectives.
• Services to the Voluntary Sector - providing services to Surrey’s voluntary sector that increase their effectiveness or fill gaps in their capability, capacity, and resilience.
• Services to the Surrey’s Communities - providing services directly to Surrey’s communities that support community action and address unsupported needs.

Much of our work is with other community organisations, including community building management groups, voluntary car scheme organisers, councils, and others, but we also run projects and activities targeted at individuals within communities, such as fuel poverty advice, and support to Surrey’s Gypsy and Travellers.

We have some income generating services, predominantly to other voluntary sector organisations.  We seek to offer excellent service to our clients, whether managing payroll, conducting DBS checks or delivering training and events.

We also manage the “Astolat” charity offices, providing high quality office accommodation and support to eight other VCFS organisations.

About The Role

To realise our ambitions to provide the best possible support to Surrey’s communities and voluntary sector, we are looking for a Head of Communities and Development that can:

• Help us secure funding for Surrey Community Action’s core activities and projects.
• Develop, support, and inspire a team of project officers to deliver our projects and activities.
• Contribute to the running of the organisation as part of the management team.
• Create and develop projects and services that meet unmet needs in Surrey
• Develop themselves and their role to make an even bigger difference to the people and organisations we support.

Securing Funding

You will help us secure funding for Surrey Community Action’s core activities and projects, working with all staff to prepare high quality funding proposals to Local Authorities, trusts, grant giving bodies, corporate partners and major donors.  You will also lead on negotiating renewals of funding and maintaining good working relationships with current commissioners and funders.

You will be comfortable working in collaboration with partners from across the voluntary and statutory sectors, always focusing on making the biggest difference to the people of Surrey.

Leadership and line management

This role looks after some of our community project officers who in turn provide information, advice, guidance, and support to a diverse range of stakeholders, including community buildings, rural housing enablers, Good Neighbours Schemes, Community Champions, Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities, and people in fuel poverty.

You will provide effective line management to our community project officers, focusing on developing them to excel in their roles and broaden their skills, making sure to lead by example and develop yourself alongside them.

Running the Charity

You will form an integral part of the management team, working in tandem with the Chief Executive, management team and Board of Trustees, supporting the charity in strategic leadership, performance management and development our projects and services.

Develop new projects and services

To succeed in this role, you will need to have or build a deep understanding of Surrey’s voluntary sector and communities.  You may design and conduct consultations and market research to deepen your knowledge and share it with peers and other stakeholders in ways tailored to our audiences.

The environment in Surrey is complex and changeable, so we are looking for someone who can flex themselves and this role so that Surrey Community Action can do better every day, who can recognise ways we can improve and provide even better support to our stakeholders, from local authorities, to charities and community groups, to individuals in need.

About You

We are looking for someone with passion, drive, and an ambition to improve the lives of all people and communities in Surrey either directly or by ensuring Surrey’s voluntary sector survives and thrives.

We want Surrey Community Action to reflect the diversity of the individuals, communities, and voluntary sector we serve so encourage applications from anyone who believes they can carry out the job description.

There are some things that will make you stand out, but even if you do not match all the criteria below, we still want to hear about you and what you can offer:

• Ideally, you will have demonstrable success of fundraising in the charity sector, particularly from grants making trusts, and you would have experience of working and negotiating with Local Authorities.
• You will be a strong line manager with experience of mentoring and developing staff.
• You will have solid IT skills including Office applications and databases.
• You will be able to communicate across a wide range of audiences, from senior local authority leaders, to community group trustees, from grant making trusts, to charity peers, and do so online and face-to-face.
• This is a complex role, so you will have the ability to plan, balance and manage multiple priorities – with support from the CEO and your colleagues.
• You might not have a background in the voluntary sector but will be willing to learn.
• You should have good financial literacy, including setting budgets and core cost recovery
• Above all, we are looking for someone with the potential to help make Surrey Community Action a stronger organisation able to make an even bigger difference to those we support.

The Nuts and Bolts

Our offices are in Burpham, Surrey (GU4 7HL).  This role can be delivered from the office, or as a hybrid role with 2-3 days in the office per week.

You will report directly to the Chief Executive and be responsible for 5-6 project officers.  You will be an equal part of our small management team and contribute to our trustee board meetings.

We are committed to continued professional development and will support you to develop your skills even further.

You may have to travel across Surrey and sometimes beyond, so access to transport would be an advantage where public transport is not an option (we can support you into Access to Work scheme as needed).

This is a full-time role (35 hours per week), but that time can be flexible to accommodate family and caring commitments.

The salary for this post is £40,000 and we also offer:

• Flexible working
• 5% employers pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Paid volunteering leave
• Free on-site parking
• 25 days holiday with an additional three days between Christmas and New Year, as well as all English Bank Holidays

Role Profile

Role: Head of Services

Term: Permanent

Salary: 34 – 36k

Responsible to: CEO

Pension: 6% employer contribution

Health: Cash Plan Health Scheme and Health & Wellbeing Assistance Programme

Hours: 30 - 37.5 (flexible)

Annual Leave: 29 days & 8 bank holidays

Key aspects of the role

· Provide day to day support and line management to the management team

· Develop the management team ensuring consistency in staffing across community & accommodation

· Support the management team to work together and support each other on a day to day basis

· Embed a culture of high standards of performance across teams

· Maintain excellent relationships with commissioners and partners ensuring services are compliant with all areas of contract requirements.

· Embed Pdap values and culture in all aspects of service delivery.

· Deputise for the CEO in her absence when required.

· Take part in the management back up on call rota.

Delivering Quality Services

· Work with the quality lead and the management team to review and analyse service level data, identifying good practice and areas for improvement. Produce high quality reports for commissioners, SLT and the Board of Trustees.

· Support the continuous development of staff and managers and celebrate success.

· Promote and embed a culture of equality, diversity & inclusion across all aspects of employment and service delivery.

· Work as part of Pdap senior leadership team to ensure services are delivered to a high standard and adequately resourced.

· Ensure Managers adhere to agreed budgets related to their service.

· Assist in setting annual budgets for Pdap, ensuring that all resources, assets, and monies are always properly accounted for.

· Participate in the recruitment, selection, and deployment of the staff team and ensure that Pdap values are integral to this process.

· Support the management team to develop their teams including development of performance improvement plans where required.

· To oversee Pdap case management systems ensuring they are fit for purpose.

· Embed safeguarding policies and procedures throughout service delivery ensuring all staff are confident in managing safeguarding concerns.

· Ensure Health and Safety compliance is maintained in all areas of legislation and law and good practice requirements across services.

· Work with our external HR consultants where required ensuring we adhere to employment law and best practice.

· Keep up to date with new developments, research and innovation incorporating these into service provision.

Working in Partnership

· To promote Pdap ethos and values across the organisation and in external partnerships.

· To liaise with other agencies on behalf of Pdap and represent the wider complexities of those experiencing domestic abuse.

· To represent Pdap at a strategic level including attendance at meetings, attending advisory groups with a view to influencing how stakeholders improve their response to domestic abuse.

· To develop and maintain good positive working relationships and referral pathways with relevant agencies and professionals in relation to domestic abuse services.

· Alongside the management team deliver training, presentations and awareness raising to external partners & community audiences.

Promoting EDI and accessibility

· Ensure that the views of Pdap’s clients, those with lived experience of domestic abuse and stakeholders are at the core of all our work and to take full account of these in the development of new services.

· Contribute to regular review and updating of equality action plans identifying areas we can further improve.

· Champion equality and diversity principles in practice.

· Actively and appropriately challenge all forms of discrimination.

· Proactively promote equality and diversity in all work with clients, ensuring fair access to services for all.

· Ensure effective implementation of Pdap’s Equality and Diversity policies and ensure integration of an equalities and human rights agenda in all areas of work.

It is essential to the development of Pdap service delivery that the post holder is able to respond flexibly to changes in the requirements of this post.  This job description is therefore a guide and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities the post holder may have over time.

Person Specification

Skills & Experience

Essential/Desirable

At least 2 years experience in a senior management role with responsibility for the line management of front line staff

Essential

Ability to identify areas of development for staff and support them to improve their practice

Essential

Experience managing and working to organisational budgets

Essential

Experience working in Domestic abuse or aligned sector such as substance misuse, housing, mental health, social care etc

Essential

Experience of working in the third sector

Desirable

Experience managing multiple contracts

Essential

Ability to work independently and within a team, to plan and manage a complex workload, meet deadlines, problem-solve and respond to unplanned demands

Essential

Ability to analyse data to identify gaps, and actions and write high quality reports and action plans

Essential

Proven track record translating strategy into operational delivery

Essential

Experiencing identifying funding opportunities, bid writing and fundraising

Desirable

Be able to demonstrate excellent literacy and IT skills, including Databases, Word, Outlook and Excel.

Essential

Experience & confidence delivering presentations/ training and talks to wide range of audiences

Essential

Knowledge

Essential/Desirable

Excellent understanding of the principles of Management and leadership theory

Essential

Sound understanding of domestic abuse and VAWG

Essential

Knowledge of charity governance and financial management

Desirable

Excellent understanding of contract compliance and implementation of such in service delivery

Essential

Understanding of commissioned and non-commissioned service delivery contracts

Essential

Excellent understanding of quality assurance

Essential

Commitment to working in partnership and building strong relationships with stakeholders

Essential

Excellent understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Essential

Please note that our closing date is 4th December 2024, we are holding interviews on 12th December 2024. 

Hope and Vision Communities is a small charity providing supported, move-on accommodation for people who have successfully completed residential rehabilitation.  We have a Christian ethos, where everyone can be loved and accepted with a sense of belonging, with the hope and opportunity of a new life.  We are growing to expand who we can help to other geographical areas.  

We are looking for a Finance Officer to work closely with our management team to assist, develop and manage the Charity Finances to support the team across all its operations. If you are excited by this opportunity and helping us and being a crucial support for Hope and Vision Communities to take us to the next stage in our growth, we would love to hear from you.  

In return we will give you support to succeed, a great group of people to work with and the chance to make a real difference to the people we support. 

Role Profile

Place of work: Hybrid, time split between home working, our office and out in the community of Cornwall (includes weekly face to face meetings in Cornwall)

Role summary

This role is to effectively engage with a diverse range of VCSE organisations and stakeholders in Cornwall through meetings, workshops, consultations, surveys, events, conferences etc. To strengthen our alliance-based model of engagement by expanding existing alliances and creating new ones.To bring the voice of the sector into the new integrated care area forums and community area partnerships. To bring together the VCSE sector around pertinent issues, so they can meet the needs of their beneficiaries and achieve their organisational outcomes.

Key Duties

• Manage and develop a range of thematic and place-based alliances, bringing together VCSE organisations to collaborate on shared community themes and challenges.
• Actively engage with integrated care areas, community area partnerships, and other strategic forums to amplify the voice of the VCSE sector. Ensure this engagement translates into actionable outcomes by integrating their insights into the planning, design, and execution of community-based services. For example, facilitate focus groups or workshops that allow grassroots VCSE feedback to be directly included in policy discussions, ensuring their needs and perspectives are supported.
• Be the first point of contact for fostering collaboration between the VCSE sector and public/private stakeholders, maximizing opportunities to collaborate and achieve shared priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with VCSE organisations and statutory partners, ensuring their representation and involvement in key strategic initiatives.
• Develop and facilitate alliances and working groups, nurturing new alliances as needed to strengthen the VCSE network and support.
• Lead the recruitment and election process for alliance chairs when necessary, ensuring a democratic approach.
• Use various engagement methods; including site visits, workshops, and consultation events. To foster direct communication and build the profile of VCSE organisations.
• Support VCSE organisations in understanding and navigating relevant policies, legislation, and best practices, equipping them with evidence-based strategies for effective service delivery.
• Provide timely, practical advice and support to grassroots and established VCSE organisations, enabling them to remain adaptable, agile, and responsive to evolving community needs.
• Facilitate creative discussions, undertake research, and deliver consultation events to promote collaborative problem-solving and community co-design.
• Represent VSF and the VCSE sector at senior leadership and thematic meetings, contributing to policy development and influencing service design and commissioning.
• Identify and communicate funding opportunities, supporting the preparation of collaborative funding applications and strategic initiatives that benefit VCSE organisations.
• Build internal and external connections to facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices, and resource sharing across the VCSE sector.
• Work closely with VSF leadership and the communications team to share intelligence, report activities, and ensure that information is accessible and tailored to the target audience.
• Maintain detailed records and data on sector engagement activities, using CRM tools to support communication and reporting functions.
• Proactively engage with and support BAME, vulnerable, and at-risk communities, ensuring their active involvement in co-designing community interventions.
• Participate in and contribute to collaborative event planning and delivery, including thematic campaign weeks and sector initiatives.
• Commit to ongoing professional development to remain informed of sector trends and research relevant to thematic and place-based work.

Person Specification

• We are particularly interested in individuals working within grassroots advocacy and support-focused VCSE organisations or those engaged in community-based systems and welcome secondment opportunities from all sectors.
• Is educated to degree level or equivalent with excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
• Solution-focused and able to communicate effectively, demonstrating excellent listening, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence.
• Excellent at building and maintaining trusted relationships with a wide range of people, organisations, and grassroots communities.
• Demonstrable experience of working with the VCSE sector, building, and sustaining productive partnerships, including with seldom-heard organisations.
• Skilled in producing compelling case studies and collating qualitative and quantitative data to showcase local, thematic, and strategic developments.
• Confident public speaker, facilitator, and presenter, effective in both online and in-person group settings.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with diverse VCSE stakeholders and partners to achieve shared objectives.
• Adept at influencing, facilitating, and engaging with stakeholders to drive positive outcomes and transformative change.
• Capable of developing and maintaining strategic relationships with public sector commissioners, directors, and VCSE leaders.
• Reflective in practice, applying lessons learned to improve and achieve desired outcomes.
• Skilled in conflict mediation and fostering consensus among stakeholders.
• Understands safeguarding, anti-oppressive practice, equality, and diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and meet stakeholder expectations, even when addressing conflicting priorities.
• Strong communication skills to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Possesses in-depth local knowledge of Cornwall and has experience working within the VCSE sector.
• Experience advising organisations on governance and best practices is desirable.
• Experienced in grant administration, distribution, and monitoring, with an understanding of tendering and funding processes.
• Committed to supporting grassroots organisations and amplifying their voices to ensure their needs are represented in decision-making spaces.

Other Requirements

• Possess a clean driving licence.
• Be familiar with all relevant Health and Safety, operational, personnel, customer care, Data Protection, and financial procedures, ensuring that all statutory obligations are complied with, especially in relation to licensing laws and first aid. 
• Complete a satisfactory DBS check. (This can be applied for on appointment)
• Any other duties as reasonably required by line management. 
• Work occasional evenings and weekends to attend meetings/events 

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet the Engagement Team on 10th or 11th December. 
Formal interviews to be held on 18th December

Role Profile

Place of work: Hybrid, time split between home working, our office and out in the community of Cornwall (includes weekly face to face meetings in Cornwall)

Role summary

This role is to effectively engage with a diverse range of VCSE organisations and stakeholders in Cornwall through meetings, workshops, consultations, surveys, events, conferences etc. To strengthen our alliance-based model of engagement by expanding existing alliances and creating new ones.  To bring the voice of the sector into the new integrated care area forums and community area partnerships. To bring together the VCSE sector around pertinent issues, so they can meet the needs of their beneficiaries and achieve their organisational outcomes.   

Key Duties

• Manage and develop a range of thematic and place-based alliances, bringing together VCSE organisations to collaborate on shared community themes and challenges.
• Actively engage with integrated care areas, community area partnerships, and other strategic forums to amplify the voice of the VCSE sector. Ensure this engagement translates into actionable outcomes by integrating their insights into the planning, design, and execution of community-based services. For example, facilitate focus groups or workshops that allow grassroots VCSE feedback to be directly included in policy discussions, ensuring their needs and perspectives are supported.
• Be the first point of contact for fostering collaboration between the VCSE sector and public/private stakeholders, maximizing opportunities to collaborate and achieve shared priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with VCSE organisations and statutory partners, ensuring their representation and involvement in key strategic initiatives.
• Develop and facilitate alliances and working groups, nurturing new alliances as needed to strengthen the VCSE network and support.
• Lead the recruitment and election process for alliance chairs when necessary, ensuring a democratic approach.
• Use various engagement methods; including site visits, workshops, and consultation events. To foster direct communication and build the profile of VCSE organisations.
• Support VCSE organisations in understanding and navigating relevant policies, legislation, and best practices, equipping them with evidence-based strategies for effective service delivery.
• Provide timely, practical advice and support to grassroots and established VCSE organisations, enabling them to remain adaptable, agile, and responsive to evolving community needs.
• Facilitate creative discussions, undertake research, and deliver consultation events to promote collaborative problem-solving and community co-design.
• Represent VSF and the VCSE sector at senior leadership and thematic meetings, contributing to policy development and influencing service design and commissioning.
• Identify and communicate funding opportunities, supporting the preparation of collaborative funding applications and strategic initiatives that benefit VCSE organisations.
• Build internal and external connections to facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices, and resource sharing across the VCSE sector.
• Work closely with VSF leadership and the communications team to share intelligence, report activities, and ensure that information is accessible and tailored to the target audience.
• Maintain detailed records and data on sector engagement activities, using CRM tools to support communication and reporting functions.
• Proactively engage with and support BAME, vulnerable, and at-risk communities, ensuring their active involvement in co-designing community interventions.
• Participate in and contribute to collaborative event planning and delivery, including thematic campaign weeks and sector initiatives.
• Commit to ongoing professional development to remain informed of sector trends and research relevant to thematic and place-based work.

Person Specification

• We are particularly interested in individuals working within health-related VCSE organisations or those engaged in the broader health system and welcome secondment opportunities from all sectors.
• Is educated to degree level or equivalent with excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
• Solution-focused and able to communicate effectively, demonstrating excellent listening, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence.
• Excellent at building and maintaining trusted relationships with a wide range of people, organisations, and grassroots communities.
• Demonstrable experience of working with the VCSE sector, building, and sustaining productive partnerships, including with seldom-heard organisations.
• Skilled in producing compelling case studies and collating qualitative and quantitative data to showcase local, thematic, and strategic developments.
• Confident public speaker, facilitator, and presenter, effective in both online and in-person group settings.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with diverse VCSE stakeholders and partners to achieve shared objectives.
• Adept at influencing, facilitating, and engaging with stakeholders to drive positive outcomes and transformative change.
• Capable of developing and maintaining strategic relationships with public sector commissioners, directors, and VCSE leaders.
• Reflective in practice, applying lessons learned to improve and achieve desired outcomes.
• Skilled in conflict mediation and fostering consensus among stakeholders.
• Understands safeguarding, anti-oppressive practice, equality, and diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and meet stakeholder expectations, even when addressing conflicting priorities.
• Strong communication skills to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Possesses in-depth local knowledge of Cornwall and has experience working within the VCSE sector.
• Experience advising organisations on governance and best practices is desirable.
• Experienced in grant administration, distribution, and monitoring, with an understanding of tendering and funding processes.
• Committed to supporting grassroots organisations and amplifying their voices to ensure their needs are represented in decision-making spaces.

Other Requirements

• Possess a clean driving licence.
• Be familiar with all relevant Health and Safety, operational, personnel, customer care, Data Protection, and financial procedures, ensuring that all statutory obligations are complied with, especially in relation to licensing laws and first aid. 
• Complete a satisfactory DBS check. (This can be applied for on appointment)
• Any other duties as reasonably required by line management. 
• Work occasional evenings and weekends to attend meetings/events 

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet the Engagement Team on 10th or 11th December. 
Formal interviews to be held on 18th December