Policy Project Officer Jobs in Manchester

Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of survivors of sexual violence? An exciting opportunity has arisen for an exceptional professional to lead Greater Manchester Rape Crisis.

The Board is seeking to appoint a new CEO to lead the organisation and to provide strategic direction for its staff, volunteers and supporters. You will have effective and comprehensive leadership, management and communication skills, with experience of leading high performing teams. You will be a confident communicator and ambassador for GMRC.

If you have a strong empathy with this area of work; if you value integrity, compassion and teamwork; if you want to work in an inclusive and nurturing environment; if you have a feminist understanding of sexual violence and knowledge of the causes and impact then this could be the next career challenge for you.

Closing Date: Friday 14th February 2025 at 12 noon

Hours: 35 per week with the possibility of hybrid working

Annual Salary: PO7-PO8 starting at £52,805 - £56,073

Interview dates: TBA

FIXED TERM CONTRACT FOR 12 MONTHS WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION SUBJECT TO FUNDING

PLEASE NOTE this role is restricted to female applicants under the Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR), Schedule 9 (Work; Exceptions), Part 1 (Occupational Requirements), of the Equality Act (2010)

It is a policy of Greater Manchester Rape Crisis that ex-service users have a waiting period of six months before applying for any posts as a paid employee.

We’re recruiting for a Volunteer Officer to join our team.

ReachOut is a national youth development charity and a strategic partner for schools. Through collective mentoring and engaging activities, we build socio-emotional skills that transform outcomes for young people constrained by circumstance.

Our Volunteer Officer is responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, training and development of our volunteers – particularly those from our community partners. This role ensures that volunteers have a fantastic experience across a range of ReachOut opportunities that are highly impactful for the young people that we work with. The postholder will also play a key role in developing the ongoing training offer for volunteers and building networks with community organisations across our regions.

2025 is an exciting time to join ReachOut as we launch our new organisational strategy. You’ll be joining a friendly and supportive team, helping us make a real difference to the lives and futures of young people across London and Manchester.

About the role

You will

• Celebrate the achievements of brain injury survivors across the UK, promote the services that Headway UK offers and raise awareness of the prevalence of brain injury.
• Establish Headway as a leading voice in the area of brain injury, ensuring that relevant media outlets are presented with relevant information.

What you will do

• Obtain regular positive national and local media coverage for Headway
• Produce high-quality written materials for release to the media
• Communicate with and facilitate media coverage for independent Headway charities and volunteer-led branches, helping to raise their profiles locally
• Monitor and evaluate media coverage and PR activity to enable the effective tracking of the charity’s reputation.
• Be the first point of call for all media enquiries and take appropriate action
• Manage and cultivate relationships with local and national media.
• Liaise with the fundraising department and promote its initiatives in local and national media outlets.
• Source and interview individuals willing to share their personal experiences of brain injury & to draft personal testimonies and create a database of case studies ready to be used in reaction to relevant news stories.
• Assist in the production of Headway News and other regular communications
• Assist in the planning and execution of the national campaign for Action for Brain Injury Week and to assist in the implementation of additional campaigns throughout the year

About you

We’re open-minded & welcome all applicants who believe they can succeed. Though ideally, you will:

• Have experience of working with local, regional and national media outlets, including crafting in press releases and sell-in

• Have experience of interviewing people from all backgrounds

• Have a highly collaborative working style, fostering teamwork and cross-functional cooperation.

• Be comfortable being the first point of call for journalist enquiries

• Excellent organisational abilities, with a track record of managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines efficiently.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, ensuring clear, effective messaging across all channels.

Visit our website to find out more about the role, the work of Headway, the benefits we offer and apply for this job. We look forward to hearing from you.

About Chapter One

Chapter One is a growing charity dedicated to ensuring every child has access to one-to-one reading support at the time they need it most. 

Our innovative Online Reading Volunteers Programme aims to support 3,300 children facing disadvantage during the 2024-25 academic year, pairing five to eight-year-old children with reading support volunteers from over 140 local and national businesses. Our unique approach requires volunteers to commit just 30 minutes a week for an entire academic year, using our bespoke digital platform. The results are transformative, significantly boosting children's reading confidence and ability. Our ambitious five year plan targets growth of 20% year on year.

For more information about our programmes please visit our website. Please also take some time to visit our social media channels and watch our videos.

About the role 

With ambitious targets to support thousands more children by 2029, Chapter One is seeking a passionate, energetic Fundraising Officer to be an integral part of our Fundraising team. Reporting to our Trusts & Foundations Manager, you’ll generate income from a range of existing and new trusts and foundations, along with individual fundraising activities to contribute towards the 2024-25 fundraising target of £278,000, rising to £348,000 in 2025-26 in which you’ll have an individual target.

This new role is ideal for an early career professional who can write creative, compelling bids and build impactful relationships to make your mark in a fast-growing charity which is flexible and agile. You’ll be a proactive, determined self-starter and have high standards for yourself and others. You’ll develop and manage a funding pipeline by investing in thorough research and relationship cultivation, and you will thrive in working with funders, partners and supporters on a day -to-day basis. 

Key Responsibilities

Deliver the fundraising plan 

● Work collaboratively with the Trusts & Foundations Manager to grow Chapter One’s fundraising portfolio and meet agreed income targets from trusts and foundations. 

● Maintain a portfolio of existing trusts and foundations, ensuring an excellent cultivation and stewardship journey​ in order to build relationships and maximise income. 

● Proactively identify and research new prospective trust funders, finding creative ways to engage with them to secure support.

● Create compelling and tailored fundraising applications and reports, ensuring there is a strong emotional case for support and accuracy, to inspire prospects and supporters across trusts and foundations. 

● Contribute to the highest levels of donor care for supporters, including creative stewardship, adhering to all grant conditions and responding in a timely manner to all enquiries from supporters and prospects. 

● Research, interpret and present data about literacy and impact that makes a compelling case for Chapter One’s programmes. 

● Contribute to internal planning and budget setting for restricted and unrestricted activities, setting out clear plans and a pipeline for income generation from trusts and foundations.

● Work with the Trusts & Foundations Manager, Corporate Partnerships team and Communications team to support the development of strategies and campaigns to grow individual giving from existing volunteers and supporters.

● Undertake administrative duties to support the delivery of individual fundraising initiatives including matched-giving campaigns and Payroll Giving. 

● Work closely with the Trusts & Foundations Manager, Business Development Manager, Corporate Partnerships team and Communications team to ensure a cohesive approach and maximise all fundraising opportunities.

General

● Oversee and maintain specific fundraising administrative processes, including

recording of activity on the Salesforce CRM and internal databases.

● Maintain up-to-date knowledge of fundraising regulations, networks, and developments across the sector. 

● Adherence to Chapter One’s Donation Acceptance Policy.

● Contribute to forecasting and regular reporting, producing verbal and written reports for senior management as required.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:

● A commitment to Chapter One’s mission and values.

● Experience of fundraising, ideally from trusts and foundations.

● A demonstrable track record of successfully generating income and achieving targets. 

● An ability to create compelling and successful fundraising applications and proposals. 

● Excellent written communication skills, with an understanding of how to tailor communications for different audiences/contexts.

● Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and manage relationships with a range of stakeholders, both internally and externally. 

● Evidence of effective prospect research, growing and managing a pipeline, planning for your portfolio and increasing income​.

● Good financial acumen and proven ability to present complex financial information accurately.

● Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

● Ability to effectively work under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.

You’ll be more successful in the role if you have:

● Experience of individual giving or employee fundraising.

● Experience of working in a charity that has a strong corporate volunteering offer.​

● Experience using the Salesforce CRM Non-profit Success Pack.

Chapter One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of teams we are building. Literacy is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to maximise our innovation, creativity and impact. We especially welcome applications from persons who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation.

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.

Fundraising Officer – North of England

Job description

A fantastic permanent opportunity has arisen for a part-time Fundraising Officer to join our dynamic, friendly and supportive fundraising team. This is a home-based role and will suit an individual living in the North of England. You will be reporting to the Corporate & Regional Fundraising Manager and working in a very varied and exciting working environment.

The perfect candidate will enjoy forging positive and robust relationships with supporters including corporate partners, small businesses, philanthropic groups as well as supporting community fundraisers across the North of England, to raise vital income for our Association.  

You will use your creative and professional skillset to provide high-quality account management, stewardship, and growth across all managed income streams. No two days are the same and we are looking for someone who can be flexible in their approach and able to multitask effectively.

Blesma is a unique membership Association as well as a charity. Our Members (limbless veterans) are at the heart of all our work – therefore, the impact of our fundraising is clearly visible in the experiences of our inspirational injured veterans.

We would love to hear from talented individuals who want to help us raise the funds that we need to support limbless veterans. If you would like to apply for this exciting role, please read the attached Job Description and apply with your C.V. and a Covering Letter detailing why you’d be an ideal candidate for the role and how your experience and skills match those detailed in the Person Specification.

If you are uncertain about your suitability for this role, we encourage you to apply and allow us to assess your fit.

Please note that we may close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of applications.

 We look forward to hearing from you.

Senior Policy Advisor - Children in Care.

Salary:c£45,000 per annum.

Location: Remote with frequent travel to London.

Contract: 12 Months Fixed Term Contract covering Maternity Leave, 35 hours per week.

Benefits:  

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailer's discounts.

Why Action for Children?

Action for Children protects and supports children, young people, and families. Our vision is that every child and young person has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

In 2023/24 we helped 687,755 children, young people, and their families across the UK. We provide practical and emotional support through 426 services in local communities across the UK, in schools and online. This includes 68 children's centres and family hubs, 61 family support services, 14 homes for disabled children, 11 residential children's homes, 15 foster and adoption services, six services for young people at risk of criminal exploitation and one residential school. We are one of the largest voluntary sector providers of residential care in England and, outside local authorities, the biggest provider of disability services for children and young people.

We also campaign passionately and work closely with policy makers to make sure the voices of young people are heard, to influence policy decisions and bring lasting improvements to the lives of children and their families.

A bit about the role 

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Research, you will design and deliver high quality research and policy outputs in support of Action for Children's work to influence and change UK Government policy around children in care and deliver lasting change in children's lives.

You'll work closely with our Influencing and Media teams and Services colleagues to ensure Action for Children is at the forefront of the policy debate and has maximum impact with key national and local stakeholders.

You'll develop and apply research and policy strategies that incorporate the views of children, parents, and our services staff to ensure that their voices are at the heart of Action of Children's policy and research. This is an exciting time to join Action for Children as it works to influence a range of policy agendas.

How you'll help to create brighter futures by

• Function as Action for Children's policy expert on Children in Care.
• Manage a diverse and challenging workload progressing policy and research projects from design to delivery, including commissioned work through external researchers, networks, and academic institutions.
• Undertake research activities using a range of approaches, including qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Provide expert advice on key policy priorities across Action for Children, ensuring that the Chief Executive and senior colleagues are informed and resourced with the relevant information.
• Establish collaborative working with colleagues to develop effective evidence gathering, research and policy activity that has the child at the centre.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with senior civil servants, politicians, academics, and opinion formers, working proactively.
• Collaborate proactively with colleagues in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to share policy and research expertise.

Let's talk about you 

• Experience in designing and delivering quantitative and qualitative research projects and/or developing policy recommendations.
• Excellent analytical skills to interpret complex information and data, including from Action for Children's Services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within a team, across departments and with other organisations, and the ability to work with all kinds of people, including people affected by the issues we influence to change.
• Good organisation skills to respond quickly to the demands of the fast moving and complex policy and media agendas.
• Good influencing skills and the ability to identify and develop relationships with policy stakeholders who can drive change.
• Excellent research and intelligence gathering skills and ability to understand and apply information to specific audiences.

Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements. 

Good to know

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

Find us on , ,  or  to get to know us better.

Closing Date: Tuesday 28^th January 2025.

Interviews will be week commencing 3^rd February 2025.

See below for further information about working with us:

In 2022 the charities Sands and Tommy’s came together to form a Joint Policy Unit. Our shared vision is for a future where fewer babies die, and inequalities in baby loss are eliminated so that everyone can benefit from the best possible outcomes.

Working together we want to secure policy changes that will reduce rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth and neonatal death, and to work to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes. We will do this by

• Holding governments across the UK to account on progress, and ensuring that saving babies lives and reducing inequalities is the national policy priority it deserves to be
• Working to ensure progress is being made to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services, so that everyone can benefit from best-practice care.
• Promoting policy change so that new research and evidence leads to improvements in care

The Policy Officer will be key to helping the Joint Policy Unit achieve these objectives.

The role-holder will support the unit in delivering on our programme of policy work, and to support our external engagement so that saving babies’ lives is a key part of NHS/government policy across the UK. This will include work on a range of projects and outputs. The role-holder will play a lead role in supporting the unit’s responses to government consultations and inquiries, and engagement with new strategies and plans for the health service.

We are looking for someone with an understanding of the policy environment, ability to analyse policy and develop high-quality written outputs. You will be a great communicator with the ability to  translate insights into clear messages for different audiences (e.g. policymakers, stakeholders, supporters and the public).

Experience of leading and managing projects is essential for this role, as is a clear understanding of the relationship between research, policy and practice. Additionally, you will need to have a good understanding of the current policy environment as it relates to reducing baby loss and tackling inequalities, as well as enthusiasm for continued learning and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

Please note this is a 1-year fixed term contract to cover maternity leave.

SCIE Vision

We are committed to building a society which enables people who draw on social care to live fulfilling lives.

At the SCIE, we are driven by our values:

· Progressive – always learning and developing.

· Inclusive – working together for equality, diversity, and fairness.

· Credible – evidence-based, robust, and reliable.

· Transparent – open and honest.

The role:

A great opportunity for you to join our small friendly team and make a real difference to people’s lives by:

· Ensuring that SCIE’s evidence, drawn from research and people’s lived experiences, influences social care policy and practice.

· Developing and delivering influencing strategies, drafting policy papers and legislative briefings, and managing relationships with various stakeholders and key partners.

· Growing SCIE’s profile as an influential, informed, and powerful voice in the social care sector.

· Positioning SCIE to work as a partner to government, responding independently to new government policy, supporting and advising on a range of national policy programmes, initiatives, and influencing guidance and practice.

· Producing high-quality research and evaluations demonstrating what works and makes a difference in social care, promoting evidence-based good practice.

What we are looking for:

· Knowledge of the policy and political landscape developed from previous experience working in a policy or public affairs role, either in government, the civil service, charities, or non-governmental organisations.

· Proven experience developing and delivering public affairs strategies and leading influencing activities.

· Proven experience producing policy papers and applying policy research skills, such as evidence gathering, analysis and reporting.

· Proven experience as a strategic and analytic thinker who can influence policymakers with persuasive arguments, policy ideas and campaigns.

· Proven ability to manage a wide range of internal and external stakeholder relationships, including at senior levels, and to engage with people with diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.

What we offer in return.

We offer excellent staff benefits including a competitive salary and homeworking allowance. We provide an employer pension contribution above the statutory minimum, an award-winning employee assistance programme, and an attractive holiday package which rises with length of service.

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us. (You can find our contact email in the 'How to apply' section)

Job Title: CEO

Salary: Actual salary is £36,000 per year. (FTE £45,000)

Contract/ Hours: 4 days per week / 0.8FTE. The normal working week is 30 hours.

Annual Leave: FTE annual leave entitlement is 23 days pro rata plus public and bank holidays.

Pension: Pension contributions of 5% per month will be paid by NUM and 3% per month will be deducted from salary.

Base/ Location: Must be UK-based. NUM is a national organisation with workspaces in Manchester and Glasgow and CEO will be required to travel throughout the UK and internationally.

About NUM:

National Ugly Mugs (NUM) was established in 2012 as a pilot project of the UK Network of Sex Work Projects. It is now the largest sex worker-serving violence prevention and survivor support service in the UK, with a mandate to ‘end all forms of violence against sex workers.’ All of our services are delivered with, by, and for sex workers and our work is grounded within three principles: 'Sex Workers' First; 'Quality Support'; and 'Learning and Innovation'. We support over 9,800 members, 85% of whom are active adult industry workers, with the remainder comprising a range of frontline practitioners and delivery partners. NUM advocates for the decriminalisation of sex work. To learn more about NUM visit our website: www[dot]nationaluglymugs[dot]org

Role Purpose:

The main purpose of the CEO is to provide inspirational leadership to NUM and ensure long term sustainability through innovation, strategic planning, effective governance, funding, and sound delivery of services. The CEO will take a lead role in the national policy advocacy work NUM carries out to achieve its objectives.

We encourage applications from people with lived experience of sex work.

Documents below contain and a full person specification and the main responsibilities of the role.

How to Apply:

To apply email your CV (no more than 3 pages) and an application covering letter (no more than 2 pages) to admin[at]uglymugs[dot]org[dot] by 5pm on 13th February. Please write CEO Application in your subject line or your application may be lost and not processed.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews throughout March. Interviews will include a presentation about your strategic direction, and will likely be followed by a second interview.

Your cover letter should set out why you are interested in the post and demonstrate, with specific examples from your experience and qualifications, how you meet the person specification criteria. Please also include two references (including your current or most recent employer; they will only be contacted after confirming this with you).

For a confidential discussion about the position, you are welcome to talk with long-standing board member Dr Laura Graham, laura.n.graham[at]northumbria[dot]ac[dot]uk.

We are committed to inclusion and equal opportunities in the workplace and we actively encourage applicants of all different ages, genders, social and economic backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations, and from people with and without disabilities. Please contact admin[at]nationaluglymugs[dot]org if you have any access needs regarding applying for this role or attending an interview should you have any access requirements or need any reasonable adjustments to be made. Applications are encouraged from people with sex work community experience. If this experience is shared in applications it will be kept confidential.

Permanent, part-time (4 days per week)

Remote working with regular meetings in London

Immediate start

About us

Sustainability First is a leading UK think tank and charity that acts as a critical friend to businesses, regulators, governments, and civil society, to create more sustainable energy and water sectors in the UK. We work tirelessly to advocate for policies that support environmental and consumer protection and to engage the public through accessible and impactful communication. We believe that it is possible to create a thriving economy that respects environmental limits and enables social equity.

About the role

We are seeking an analytical thinker with a curiosity-driven mindset and a collaborative approach to working. This role will be central to our ongoing success as a highly regarded independent research organisation, building an evidence base in favour of embedding sustainability principles into business practices, regulatory and public policy thinking. You will help to amplify our voice with decisionmakers, including business leaders, senior officials in central government, regulatory bodies, and amongst politicians, helping to shape public policy and legislation for a socially equitable and environmentally sustainable economy.

Ideally, you will have a sector-specific understanding (energy and/or water utilities), including familiarity with key policies and strategies, such as Net Zero targets, climate adaptation strategies, and consumer vulnerability protections. You will be able to draft practical policy recommendations, informed by evidence and stakeholder input, and be familiar with key players, including government departments, regulators, consumer groups, industry bodies, and environmental organizations. This is an excellent opportunity to develop a core role in our charity, as well as make a tangible impact on the environment and social equity in the UK.

The post will be primarily based remotely, working from home, but with access to shared office space in Camden and Monument in London. Our board of trustees meet twice a year in person in central London (and twice more online), and our Executive Director is often in London for meetings once or twice a week. You must also be able to attend occasional meetings in central London and be willing to travel (infrequently) within the UK.

For further details about the role, please download the job description.

How to apply

Please click the apply button to be taken to our vacancies page. 

When applying, please submit a CV (no more than three pages of A4) and covering letter that sets out how you meet the selection criteria for this role. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. 

Closing date: Sunday 8th February 2025.

Interviews will be online via Microsoft Teams in February.

We apologise that due to the expected high levels of applications we may not be able to reply to all candidates. If you have not heard from us by 28th February, please assume you have not been shortlisted.

Sustainability First is an equal opportunities employer and promotes equity, diversity and inclusion through its work, and through its employment practices. You must be able to work in the UK to take up this role.

We're looking for an enthusiastic individual with project administration experience, or experience of supporting complex processes, to join us as Governance, Risk and Policy Officer (internally known as Governance, Risk and Policy Senior Associate) on a permanent basis.

You'll be responsible for supporting the day-to-day management of our governance, risk and policy systems, ensuring Ambition is well-positioned to deliver on its refreshed, long-term strategy. You'll also provide administrative support to leaders across the organisation and thrive in a busy, dynamic environment.

Who are Ambition Institute?
A great teacher changes the future every day. Especially for children who have had a tough start in life, a teacher can be the critical factor in their success.

At Ambition Institute we help schools tackling educational disadvantage to keep getting better and help their teachers and school leaders to become more expert over time.

That’s how we’ll make sure every child gets a great education and the best possible start in life.

• We train teachers and leaders at all levels to get better at the things that make the biggest difference: what you teach, how you teach it, and how you create the conditions for schools to thrive.
• We share what works. Everyone can benefit from evidence of how great teaching and leadership can improve schools and change lives, so we connect people to the latest research and best practice.
• We champion every teacher and school leader’s potential to develop, as the driving force for sustainable school improvement.

This is an exciting time to join Ambition Institute. In the past few years, we have grown to become the biggest provider of professional development for teachers and school leaders, with around 1 in 10 participating in one of our programmes. We are proud of the way in which we are contributing to tackling educational disadvantage and are looking for an individual who is equally as enthusiastic about our mission to join the team.

We would like you to:

• Work closely with the Governance, Risk and Policy Managers to drive and support projects that rationalise and/or improve our governance, risk and policy systems 
• Develop and own efficient administrative practices to ensure the effective delivery of business-as-usual processes 
• Contribute to the development of supporting resources, such as guidelines, templates, and training materials, to facilitate the adoption of best practices across the organisation 
• Manage logistical arrangements for internal and external events, including meetings, away days and residentials. 

Working in a hybrid way, you’ll be attached to either our Birmingham, London or Manchester office and will report to the Governance, Risk and Policy Manager.  In line with our current ways of working, you’ll be expected to be in the office at least 1 day a month, in addition to team days and this may be reviewed by Ambition. 

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

To succeed in this role you'll be proactive, detail-oriented and possess strong organisational skills. You will excel at building productive working relationships with colleagues across the organisation, including in a hybrid working environment.

Knowledge or some exposure of governance, risk or policy would be beneficial.

If you are someone who thrives in a busy, dynamic environment and this role has sparked some interest, we'd love to receive an application from you.

What’s in it for you….?

• Competitive annual salary
• Professional development for all staff
• 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays and 'winter shut down’ at the end of December/beginning of January
• Employer pension contribution of 11%
• Agile, hybrid working culture, so you can manage when and where you work
• Staff affinity networks that help keep equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• Blind recruitment process to ensure equality and fairness in our hiring
• Enhanced maternity pay after a year’s service
• Shared parental leave package
• Access to free, confidential 24/7 wellbeing and support line
• Comfortable and collaborative workspaces in the city centres of Manchester, Birmingham and London
• Work-from-home technology package to support hybrid working
• Interest free season ticket / bike loans

We don’t expect the person we hire to have all of the following, but this should give you a sense of what would enable you to thrive in this role and in our organisation:

You should apply for this role if:

• You care deeply about educational disadvantage and being part of an organisation that challenges inequality
• You have a good work ethic and strive to make a difference in the job you do
• You always give maximum effort to understand and meet the needs of our partners and participants
• You always have a great attitude so we “can do” for all our colleagues, partners and participants
• You are open to feedback and learning because we want to keep getting better
• You work with your initiative to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective
• You are well organised and can prioritise work that will have the greatest impact

You'll love working at Ambition if…

• You want a career with a person-centred organisation with a cause at its heart.
• You have a collaborative work ethos, bring warmth and good humour to work and constructive outlook to every situation
• You enjoy working in a fast-moving workplace, with a great support structure around you
• You would like to grow with an ambitious organisation as it progresses over time
• Want flexibility in how you work – splitting your time between one of our offices and remote working and managing your own working patterns to get the job done.

How to apply…

Applications will be considered for all office locations.

All applications must be received by the closing date 23:59 on 20 January 2025. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 3rd February. Please note when you click apply, you'll be taken to the Birmingham posting of the role. You can still apply via this posting as it won't determine your location if successful.

Equality and diversity matters to us. If you think you’d be suited to one of our roles we’d love to hear from you regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexuality.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and the most vulnerable in our society and, as such, we are unable to employ individuals with relevant convictions, including the following: a conviction for an offence involving violence or dishonesty, of a sexual nature or against minors, or for any other offence that is relevant to the nature of the services provided by our organisation.

As an employer, we have a responsibility to prevent illegal working in the UK by ensuring that our employees have the right to work in the UK. Therefore, as part of the recruitment process to verify your eligibility you will be required to produce relevant documentation.

FIT makes grants to organisations and provides individual fellowships for work that promotes sustainable transport as a universal basic right, reduces the environmental impact of our transport system, and reduces the dominance of the car in society. The Foundation also makes loans, repayable grants and equity investments to selected projects and innovations. For further information about our work and examples of our projects, please visit our website.

The Communications Officer will manage the Charity's communications activities including PR/press, the website and social media, as well as helping organise various events. We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual who cares passionately about achieving our aims. The role offers an opportunity to help shape the Foundation’s priorities and strategy, to be part of a movement for change, and to identify and work with some exceptional individuals and organisations. 

 JOB DESCRIPTION

1)   PR/ press:

• Promoting FIT and its work to a wider audience

• Publishing and promoting the work of FIT’s grantees, fellows and investees using blogs, social media, newsletters and press releases:

  • Communicating with grantees, fellows and investees to obtain relevant information

  • Drafting news articles for the FIT website and social media

  • Producing a quarterly newsletter detailing new grant awards, grantee news and upcoming events

  • Producing press releases and media articles

  • Liaising with external press and print media organisations

  • Creative use of other media as the post holder sees fit

• Creating a digital catalogue/ archive of all FIT-funded projects, fellowships and investments

• Adding FIT to directories of grant-giving organisations to allow us to be found by a wider audience.

2)      Website: 

• Maintaining and updating FIT’s website (in conjunction with the Executive Secretary & Grants Manager)

• Producing grant impact summaries for the individual project pages on the website using information provided in final project reports

• Adding missing past/ present funded projects to the website to create a complete online record of everything FIT has funded.

3)      Social media: 

• Managing FIT’s existing social media accounts including LinkedIn and X

• Setting up new social media accounts as necessary eg Facebook

• Drafting a social media policy for FIT.

4)   Events/ networking:

• Supporting the organisation of in person events and webinars to showcase the projects, fellowships and social investments which FIT supports, and to enable networking amongst those supported by FIT (in conjunction with the Executive Secretary & Grants Manager and Events Manager)

• Creating virtual sub-groups of grantees and fellows to further enable networking opportunities.

5)    Other: 

• Opportunity for drafting a communications strategy

• Other communications tasks from time to time as deemed reasonable by the trustees and Executive Secretary & Grants Manager.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The Communications Officer will actively and passionately promote the work of the Foundation and will be aligned with the aims of FIT, which are public transport as a universal basic right, reducing the environmental impact of our transport system, and reducing the dominance of the car in society.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent copywriting skills and experience in drafting copy for technical and non-technical audiences in a variety of formats, including web, social media, news articles, press releases, formal reports, etc (E)

• Experience in web editing using WordPress (E)

• Ability to work and liaise with a wide range of people (E)

• Accuracy and excellent attention to detail (E)

• Ability to work independently under own initiative (E)

• High level organisational and administrative skills (E)

• IT skills: competent in the use of Google Workspace, Zoom and social media, etc (E)

Knowledge and experience

• Experience of working in a communications role (E)

• Experience of working with social media (E)

• Experience of working with mainstream media (E)

• Familiarity with the charitable, not-for-profit or campaigning sector (E)

• Experience of working within a committee environment, for example, with a board of trustees or elected members (D)

• Interest in and support for sustainable transport (E)

• Knowledge of the sustainable transport sector (D)

E = Essential; D = Desirable

To apply for the role, please submit your CV and a covering letter (maximum 2 sides A4) outlining your relevant skills and experience, together with details of how you fit the requirements of the person specification. The deadline for applications is 23:55 on Friday 14th February 2025.

Closing date: 9 a.m. Tuesday 21st January

Who we are

Gatsby Charitable Foundation is one of the 16 Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts (SFCT) established by individual members of the Sainsbury family.

Gatsby established a small team focused on education policy in England almost 40 years ago. While priorities have changed and evolved, our approach has been consistent: we aim to be more than a funder. We act as an enabler for projects, working with partners in designing, developing, and, in some cases, delivering activities. We take a long-term view as we do not think much can be achieved by short, one-off projects.

About the role

We are now looking for someone to join our education team as a Project Officer.

You will have a broad remit to support the implementation of programmes across the team, in particular, programmes to support teachers and providers with technical education reforms. Key success measures for this work will include widespread, sustained engagement in programmes that are well-organised and coordinated.

Using a high degree of personal expertise and judgement to support the Technical Education Networks programme, including responsibility to:

• Support the Head of Further Education Curriculum with the delivery of the programme objectives for curriculum support for post-16 technical education.
• Arrange logistics for meetings, conferences and work streams of the programme.
• Manage and upload content to the Technical Education Networks’ website
• Coordinate the development and publication processes for all outputs of the programme, including the teaching materials.
• Provide administrative and budget support for grants and contracts allocated to stakeholders, supporting financial overview of allocations.
• Liaise with Gatsby’s communications team and external stakeholders to ensure successful communication, dissemination and uptake of the programme outputs.
• Maintain effective communication with key stakeholders to ensure long-term impact and engagement with the programme.
• Ensure information regarding the programme on the Gatsby and partner websites is coherent and up to date.
• Any other duties to support the Education Team in delivering programme objectives when required.

Who are we looking for?

First and foremost, we are looking for someone with a strong interest in our areas of work, especially supporting improvement for technical education.

The specific experience criteria that we are looking for in the successful candidate include:

• Managed projects to achieve successful outcomes, including budget responsibility.
• Managed external contracts or grants to deliver agreed objectives on time and within budget.
• Organised successful complex meetings and events.
• Have been personally responsible for implementing new processes or ideas.
• Have worked independently and within a team, contributing to the success of others as well as self.
• Written well-received documents (such as minutes, briefings, reports, articles).
• A strong interest in education is essential. Current knowledge of the technical education system and further education is desirable.

Please note that you must also have the existing right to work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 21st January. 

Fighting With Pride is a ‘lived experience’ LGBTQ+ military charity, created in January 2020.

FWP supports LGBTQ+ veterans, serving personnel and their families.  This support focuses on those who were affected by the ‘gay ban’.

The Chief Executive is responsible for providing leadership, developing, and implementing FWP strategic and operation plans, leading on partnership and development across Government, military charities and key stakeholders and being an advocate for the charity and its beneficiaries. They will be responsible for ensuring financial control and supporting and advising on good governance across all aspects of the Charity. This post directly reports to the Chair and Board of Trustees. 

The role is full-time, 37.5 hours per week and is on a permanent employment contract.  The salary is up to £60,000 per annum.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

Be the principal ambassador of the charity.

To work in close partnership with the Chair and Board of Trustees to design, shape and implement the new strategy.

Lead, support, and motivate all staff, creating a positive culture throughout the organisation, delivering the charity’s aims, objectives, and ambitions.

Seek out, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with the Government and all relevant stakeholders to promote the work of the charity and facilitate the implementation of its strategic objectives.

Lead development of the vision, mission, core values and objectives in the Strategic Plan, providing advice, guidance and evidence-based proposals to the Chair and Board of Trustees. 

Strategy

Work with the Board to develop a new FWP strategic vision and be responsible for leading its implementation.

Work towards long-term sustainability, developing the charity’s business model and maximising income.

Adopt a creative and innovative approach to development, remaining open to new ideas and opportunities.

Identify appropriate methods for monitoring the performance of FWP and to report to the trustees on the performance of the charity in line with its strategy, business, operational and annual plans, and against the annual budget as approved by the Board. 

Operations

Take executive responsibility for all functions including service delivery, administration, finance, fundraising, marketing, and communications.

To run FWP efficiently and effectively by ensuring FWP has an appropriate management structure and systems, including financial reporting, to fulfil its strategic objectives and report to the Board of Trustees.

To ensure management policies and decisions support the agreed vision, mission, values, philosophy, and strategic priorities of FWP.

To ensure business, operational, and annual plans to underpin the strategic plan are developed, agreed, and implemented.

To ensure the recruitment, management, training, and development of staff reflect good employment practice and are directed towards achieving FWPs objectives.

Ensure FWP services and projects are delivered to the highest standard with due regard for timescales, risks and budgets.

Finance

Lead and direct the financial planning, forecasting, control reporting and management of the organisations finances and resources, ensuring regulatory compliance and sustainable organisational growth.

Take executive responsibility for the financial leadership of the charity, including forecasting and strategic budget leadership.

Ensure the charity’s financial resources are managed effectively and that FWP remains in good financial health, identifying risks and taking appropriate action.

Maintain effective financial management and control systems; ensure delivery within budgets and to performance targets and oversee the production of management accounts, statutory accounts and annual reports.

Governance and Compliance

Coordinate with the Board to ensure FWP overall governance structure and policies and procedures are appropriate and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing changes, as necessary.

Attend all Board meetings and prepare a written report in advance of the meeting detailing all matters of interest and concern regarding the charity’s activities, including the production of management accounts and cash flow forecasts.  Ensure the Board is made aware in a timely fashion of any matters arising requiring its attention.

Develop and maintain effective operational policies and processes in all the charity’s areas of operation. Review and update the policies and content to meet legal, regulatory and best practice needs.

Oversee the development and practical application of all organisational policies and procedures e.g. with regard to health and safety, equality and diversity, and safeguarding.

Ensure the charity complies with best practice in all areas of operation.

Oversee the designated safeguarding lead ensuring the safeguarding of the vulnerable adults with whom the charity works through rigorous DBS procedures and staff training.

Take responsibility for the collection and protection of personal information ensuring this complies with relevant Data Protection regulations.

Ensure all major risks are identified and regularly reviewed, and that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate all such risks. To be responsible for the development and implementation of the charity’s Risk Register.

Other Duties

The duties listed are not exhaustive and may be varied from time to time as required by the changing needs of the charity.  The post holder will be expected to undertake other duties as appropriate and as requested by the Board of Trustees.

Location

The postholder will be based within the UK, and work from home, with travel across the country, supported by the Board of Trustees.

Person Specification

Qualifications - Desirable criteria

Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience and qualification, and evidence of CPD.

Experience of the armed forces community.

Experience - Essential criteria

Significant proven record of achievement in a senior position within a charity/not for profit organisation.

Experience of effective partnership working and development and external relationship management.

Experience of managing, motivating and developing staff.

Experience of business planning, business development and fundraising.

Experience of project management and service delivery across multiple functions.

Financial management skills including budgeting and delivery of cost and income targets.

Robust approach to governance, controls and definition/implementation of new processes.

Experience of financial and risk management.

Experience of managing organisational change.

Experience of line managing remote based teams.

Skills and knowledge - Essential criteria

Inspirational leadership, management and motivational skills.

Highly organised and personally effective.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to persuade and influence, both face to face and in writing.

Strong financial skills, including the ability to analyse budgets and accounts and manage an annual budget of over £500,000.

Outstanding business development skills.

A commitment to equal opportunities and inclusivity.

Rigorous analytical skills.

Personal attributes - Essential criteria

A thorough understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ / armed forces community and the ability to show a genuine and detailed interest in the work of the charity.

A commitment to improving the lives of others, ensuring all activities are in line with the charity’s aims, objectives, and values, and maintaining integrity and a professional approach, as a key ambassador to the charity.

Empathy for vulnerable people and those affected by the ban.

Positive, pro-active and dynamic.

Inclusive and flexible, with a consultative approach to leadership.

Confident and assertive.

Ability to pursue the mission and objectives of FWP with demonstrable passion, drive and commitment.

Committed to best practice and with a drive for continual improvement.

The appointee will also be expected to be fully IT literate.

The charity will consider reasonable methods of travel within the UK.

Safeguarding statement

FWP is committed to safeguarding and protecting the adults we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure we have policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and a safe working environment.