Action Foundation

2 job(s) at Action Foundation

Action Foundation City, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Sep 22, 2026
Full time
The Language & Learning Officer will provide support and guidance to volunteers and learners, and work with the Project Manager to plan and organize enrolment days, enrichment activities and tailored support to learners. We believe this will be an exciting role helping people who are re- building their lives to learn a new language, meet new people, and feel part of a community. The Language & Learning officer will work within and alongside the wider Language and Learning team with the primary purpose of providing an exemplary level of support to ESOL learners and volunteers. The role may also involve supporting activities and workshops delivered by the rest of the team. The role has three key strands: Volunteers' coordination and support: working with the Project Manager, you will be supporting volunteers in their roles and ensuring the smooth running of systems and communications, leading to clients' and volunteers' satisfaction. Daily administrative tasks using our CRM system and other platforms to track the support provided, plan enrolments, ensure consistency of information, and notify the Project Manager of any safeguarding concerns. Direct support to English language learners, including session planning and occasional delivery, ad-hoc casework support, and collaboration with other organizations to provide a rich curriculum that meets the needs and desire of our learners. Reports to : Language & Learning Service Manager Hours : 16h per week Location : Newcastle Office, NE1 2JQ Contract : Fixed term 1 year contract (subject to passing a 3- month probation period). An extension to this post may be possible, subject to further project funding. Salary Scale : £25,470 to £28,121 per annum Pro Rata plus 6% pension contribution. It is our policy to appoint new roles at the bottom of the pay scale, however in exceptional circumstances, this can be negotiated. Annual Leave : 28 days + English Bank Holidays Pro Rata Organisational context Action Foundation is an award-winning charity that supports and empowers asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in the North East to overcome immediate barriers, integrate with the community, and build skills for the future. The charity delivers its services across the Tyne & Wear region with our main offices being in Newcastle Centre, close to the quayside. Over 20 years the charity has grown to support more than 3,000 people a year with approximately 80 volunteers, 30 staff and a turnover more than 1.5 million pounds. Duties & Responsibilities The following is typical of the duties the post holder will be expected to perform. It is not necessarily exhaustive and other duties of a similar nature and level may be required from time to time. Frontline Support • Ad-hoc casework and support to our learners, including letters of reference, bank letters, digital connectivity and employability advice. • Occasional planning and delivery of English language classes and thematic sessions. • Classroom preparation, communication with learners and organization of cyclical enrolments. • Ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed, and professional boundaries are always maintained. • Attending Drop-in provisions and events in various locations as required. Monitoring and Evaluation • Carrying out ongoing monitoring with participants via surveys; direct feedback and other monitoring and evaluation tools as appropriate. • Working within a budget to assist participants to access or move towards further education or employment. Examples may include payment towards travel costs or refreshments. • Developing and maintaining participant records, complying with systems and reports in place to monitor data and outcomes, using the CRM system to record information on the support provided in a timely and consistent manner. • Work in accordance with the various metrics and outcomes, collaborating with the Programme Manager to discuss areas for improvement and shared outcomes. Partnership and Communication • Distribute communications materials that support the project and help clients access support. • Communicate with volunteers to ensure smooth delivery of service and clients' satisfaction. • Support and coordinate sessions run by external providers. • Prepare and deliver sessions in collaboration with other organizations, including multilingual creative sessions in schools with Moving Parts. The above is not an exhaustive list of duties but a key summary of the main responsibilities of this post. Personal Specification/Key Competencies Action Foundation is an Equal Opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community. Experience • Managing challenging caseloads and conflicting priorities Essential • Understanding of equal opportunities issues and their practical application Essential • Supporting vulnerable individuals / dealing with safeguarding concerns Essential • Working with adults in an educational or pastoral capacity Essential • CELTA or similar level qualification/experience in teaching English Essential • Working with volunteers Essential • Working with people speaking English as a second language Essential • Working with a CRM Desirable • Working in the third/voluntary sector Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Understanding of the issues faced by asylum-experience people, Essential including how trauma might impact memory and engagement. • Experience of advice & guidance, negotiating, reviewing Essential and supervising a caseload of participants. • Awareness of Safeguarding people at risk and maintaining professional Essential Boundaries • Interpersonal, teamwork, negotiating and organizational skills Essential • Ability to prioritise and work well under pressure • Good written and verbal communication skills to all stakeholders Essential • IT skills, including working with Microsoft Office and CRM systems Essential • Data input and processing skills Essential • Ability to speak a language other than English Desirable • Knowledge of Digital Inclusion methods Desirable • Trauma-Informed awareness Desirable Personal qualities • Absolute integrity with a commitment to transparency and openness Essential • To be committed to supporting vulnerable migrants Essential • To be supportive of the ethos and values of the charity Essential • Open to further training, if required, including regulated Essential Qualifications • University degree or equivalent (including degrees obtained in other countries) Essential Employee Perks • Employee Assistance Programme • Central Location • Secure Bike Storage • Friendly and multilingual team • The opportunity to do meaningful work with international clients and volunteers. Note : This post requires a valid right to work in the UK, a DBS check, and two satisfactory references Holidays
Action Foundation City, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Sep 21, 2026
Full time
As Communications and Campaigns Officer, you will raise the profile of Action Foundation to champion our services for refugees and asylum seekers across the North East. Working closely with staff, volunteers and clients, you'll gather stories and lead on lived experience storytelling. You'll also coordinate our campaigns (including fundraising), media relationships and digital channels (social media, website & newsletters) to strengthen public awareness of the issues affecting the people we serve. You'll be part of our Business Development & Communications Team, contributing to creative campaigns, growing our audience, and helping us build stronger connections with supporters, donors, fundraisers and partners. This role is perfect for someone who is organised, collaborative and passionate about clear, impactful communication that drives real change. Reports to: Business Development and Communications Manager Hours: 35 hours per week full time Location: Newcastle office with option for hybrid working (minimum 3 days per week in the office) Contract: Permanent contract, subject to passing a 3-month probation period Salary Scale: £28,683.57 - £31,669.91 per annum plus 6% pension contribution Annual Leave: 28 days + English Bank Holidays Other benefits: Flexible working, hybrid model, access to Employee Assistance Programme & clinical supervision Organisational context Action Foundation is an award-winning charity that supports and empowers asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in the North East to overcome immediate barriers, integrate with the community, and build skills for the future. The charity delivers its services across the Tyne & Wear region with our main offices being in Newcastle Centre, close to the Quayside. Over 20 years, the charity has grown to support more than 3,000 people a year with approximately 80 volunteers, 30 staff and a turnover more than £1.5 million. This is an exciting opportunity to join Action Foundation at a pivotal point in our strategy development. Alongside delivering engaging communications and campaigns, you will help shape how we tell our story, challenge misconceptions, build understanding of migration issues and strengthen our profile across the region. You will be comfortable balancing long-term planning with responding to emerging opportunities, trends and media stories. Application deadline is 12 noon on 15th October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first stage informal interviews will be held online 2nd November giving you a chance to ask any questions about the role. Second stage interviews are planned to be held in person on w/c 9th November at Action Foundation, Melbourne Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2JQ. Duties & Responsibilities Communications and Campaigns Strategy: - Create and deliver an ambitious Communications and Campaigns strategy, aligned with our organisational goals and Business Development strategy. - Track performance and report back to the Business Development and Communications team on how we improve engagement and achieve impact. Communications and Storytelling - Tell powerful human stories to combat othering and challenge the hostile environment. - Ensure ethical storytelling principles and organisational safeguarding, GDPR and consent policies are strictly followed. - Create engaging written content including social media, website and email channels that grows our audience and deepens engagement. - Keep up to date with current affairs, including developments within the migration sector and public debate, identifying opportunities to join relevant conversations and amplify our voice. Media & Stakeholder Engagement: - Liaise and advise on Crisis Communications, including challenging misinformation and harmful narratives. - Develop and nurture journalist relationships, secure media coverage and respond to media requests. - Write press releases, organise media interviews and brief staff and clients in line with safeguarding and consent guidelines. - Produce and disseminate promotional materials (impact report, leaflets, brand assets), working with designers, filmmakers and photographers as needed. Campaigns & Fundraising Coordination: - Identify opportunities to respond to emerging trends, policy developments and public debates, turning moments of attention into meaningful engagement. - Lead on and maximise fundraising campaigns that inspire supporters and strengthen our public image, including Regular Giving, Legacy Giving, Great North Run and Winter Appeal. - Collaborate across the sector to build partnerships and coordinate collective responses within the wider campaigning landscape. - Support volunteers, fundraisers and other campaigners to tell their stories and amplify their impact. Other - Supervising volunteers and media/communications placement students. - Work with the Business Development Team to provide stories of impact and other content as requested for funding applications, progress reports or other reports/presentations. The above is not an exhaustive list of duties but a key summary of the main responsibilities of this post. Personal Specification/Key Competencies Experience & Qualifications: - A track record of creative writing to raise awareness or report on issues and events Essential - An eye for identifying stories and an ability to sensitively interview vulnerable people Essential - Confident in a media environment and gaining good public relations and media coverage Essential - Responding to Crisis Communications including myth busting and finding media press allies Desirable - Coordination of successful campaigns Essential - Working with designers and filmmakers to produce printed, online and film content Desirable - Supporter development and fundraising experience Desirable - Formal qualification in Journalism or equivalent demonstrable experience Desirable - Supervising volunteers and/or placement students Desirable - English Language proficiency at A Level (or equivalent) Essential Skills: - Initiative and a creative approach to problem-solving Essential - Ability to work strategically while delivering operational communications strategy Essential - Ability to identify opportunities to contribute to public conversations Essential - Strong editorial, proofreading and quality-control skills Desirable - Interpersonal, teamwork, negotiation and organisational skills Essential - Good IT skills and ability to work with Microsoft 365 Essential - Good written and verbal communication skills Essential - The ability to plan and deliver against targets Essential - Analyse communications performance and use insights to improve future activities Essential - The ability to prioritise and work well under pressure, including in a Crisis environment Essential - Graphic design skills using Canva or similar platforms Desirable - Photography, videography or basic content production skills Essential - Knowledge of media monitoring and social media analytics tools Essential Personal qualities: - To be committed to supporting vulnerable migrants, including centring lived experience and amplifying underrepresented voices Essential - Emotional resilience and the ability to engage appropriately with potentially distressing stories and experiences Essential - Reflects on practice and seeks support when needed to sustain wellbeing Essential - Absolute integrity with a commitment to transparency and openness Essential - To be supportive of the culture and values of the charity Essential - Interest in current affairs, combating misinformation on migration, refugees and asylum seekers Essential Note: We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of migration or the asylum system. This role involves regular engagement with people who may have experienced trauma, displacement and significant barriers. We are looking for someone who can approach this work with sensitivity, professionalism and appropriate personal boundaries whilst communicating their own wellbeing. Action Foundation is committed to supporting staff through clinical supervision, wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme. This post requires a valid right to work in the UK (Action Foundation does not hold a UK Sponsorship Licence), a DBS check , and two satisfactory references .