CITIZENS UK

2 job(s) at CITIZENS UK

CITIZENS UK
Feb 01, 2026
Full time
Citizens UK Citizens UK is the UK's biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems. Citizens UK has played a pioneering role in introducing and developing community sponsorship of refugees in the UK. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, we campaigned successfully for the introduction of community sponsorship in the UK. Citizens UK was then instrumental in proving the model can work in the UK and through training, advocacy, and coordination, we have helped hundreds of local groups welcome thousands of refugee families. In 2022, Citizens UK expanded its work by launching the Communities for Ukraine programme, matching Ukrainian refugees with UK hosts and most recently has run Communities for Afghans, resettling dozens of refugees. Throughout, it has combined grassroots organising with national advocacy to build a sustainable, community-led model of refugee resettlement. In 2025, we campaigned successfully to persuade the Government to introduce 'named sponsorship', giving communities greater choice in who they would sponsor. This creates a huge opportunity to grow community sponsorship and to enable UK civil society to step up and honour our proud tradition of offering sanctuary. Head of Community Sponsorship Role This is a rare opportunity to lead Citizens UK's community sponsorship campaign and help build the movement that will be at the heart of a community-led welcome. This new role comes at an exciting and crucial time, as we seek to build and embed this new form of named community sponsorship in the UK. As Head of Community Sponsorship you will lead on our strategy to develop named sponsorship as a transformative part of the UK's approach to refugee resettlement and community power. This will involve building a broad-base of civil society partners ready to sponsor refugees and to add their voice to the campaign. You will lead on the campaigning and advocacy strategy as we ensure quality in the Government policy and cross-Party political support. Citizens UK acts as the Lead Sponsor for local community sponsorship groups and you will oversee their ongoing support and further engagement. The role foster collaboration with Citizens UK Organisers and alliances, develop sustainable funding strategies, and ensure alignment with Citizens UK's broader migration and transformation goals. The role will work alongside Citizens UK's Migrant and Refugee Organising Team and will contribute to the efforts to build the power to create a more welcoming country. You will lead on relationships with senior stakeholders, policy makers, and funders, and support the creation of campaigns and resources to expand public awareness and support for community sponsorship. With responsibilities spanning communications, and external representation, the role is key to shaping Citizens UK's refugee resettlement strategy and building its national impact as a driver of cohesion. Working as the Head of Community Sponsorship for Citizens UK, reporting to the Assistant Director for Migrant and Refugee Organising (MARO), your main responsibilities will include: Career Pathway Headings Objectives Contribute to Citizens UK and Project Strategic Objectives Build a broad and deep engagement across civil society in named sponsorship, demonstrating the potential for scale and the big tent of support. Develop and implement campaign approaches that secure policy goals and build cross-Party political support. Develop strategy that develops the leadership of local Citizens members and refugees, strengthens civic institutions and builds trust across difference. Build and Manage Projects & Achieve Work Targets Effectively Oversee multiple work strands, working in partnership. Develop and manage project workplans, KPIs and budgets, ensuring delivery to time, standard, and impact goals. Establish systems for performance tracking, evaluation, and continuous improvement across project streams. Learning, Expertise, Wellbeing & Inclusion Act as a senior expert in sponsorship strategy; coach and mentor staff and partners, and facilitate learning across departments and projects. Influence and lead the integration of equity, wellbeing and refugee voice into strategic decisions and delivery frameworks. Develop and Manage External Relationships Lead high-level relationships with national and senior stakeholders, including government departments (e.g. Home Office), civil society institutions and funders. Build and manage partnerships that advance sponsorship reform and position Citizens UK as a sector leader. Ensure stakeholder experience is consistently excellent and take the lead on resolving reputational risks or tensions. Communications Act as a senior spokesperson for Citizens UK's sponsorship work in the media, at public events, and in government or civil society forums. Lead the design and implementation of a high-profile communications strategy to influence narratives on refugee welcome and community leadership. Ensure communications align with ethical storytelling principles and amplify sponsor and refugee voices responsibly. Develop and Manage Internal Relationships Lead and develop high-performing cross-functional teams, with clear expectations, direction, and collaboration structures. Effectively line manage senior staff and foster shared leadership culture across sponsorship and Citizens UK team Ensure that the community sponsorship strategy is aligned with Citizens UK's other campaigns and work closely with other members of Migrant and Refugee Organising team. Contribute to senior leadership structures, including strategic planning processes and transformation initiatives. Generate Income and Resources Initiate and grow significant and sustainable income streams to fund Citizens UK's sponsorship work. Develop and lead high-value funding partnerships with trusts, foundations and strategic donors. Demonstrate strong budget oversight and ensure effective use of financial and human resources in sponsorship delivery. Personal Specification (D) Desirable, (E) Essential Qualifications Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as migration, social policy, international development, or community organising (D) Management or leadership qualification, or relevant CPD in project or programme management, public policy, or team leadership (D) Experience Proven experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes related to refugee resettlement, community organising, or social impact (E) Demonstrable track record of strategic leadership in a charity or community-focused setting (E) Experience of managing cross-functional teams to deliver against ambitious organisational goals (E) Experience of developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, local authorities, or government departments (E) Experience in leading campaigning and influencing strategies to secure changes in Government policy (E) Experience of designing and implementing systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning to track progress and report to funders and or government stakeholders (D) Demonstrable experience of driving collaborative campaigns or outreach efforts that engage diverse communities (E) Key skills and knowledge Strong leadership and team coordination skills - able to motivate, direct, and support multidisciplinary teams across multiple workstreams (E) Excellent project and performance management skills - able to set strategic priorities, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability (E) In-depth knowledge of refugee resettlement systems, community sponsorship models, and UK migration policy, including recent developments affecting Afghan and Ukrainian pathways (E) Knowledge and skills in community organising and an understanding of how community sponsorship and campaigning connect with and support the method and aims of organising (E) Outstanding written and verbal communication - confident in producing compelling cases for support, policy communications, and public messaging (E) Ability to design and deliver stakeholder engagement strategies, with a clear understanding of influencing policy and public opinion (E) Skilled in developing and managing strategic partnerships with funders, policy-makers, and community groups (E) Strong analytical and problem-solving skills - able to assess complex challenges, identify risks, and implement effective solutions (E) Personal qualities & values A mission-driven leader with a passion for refugee rights, community empowerment, and social justice (E) Politically astute and able to navigate relationships with stakeholders from civil society, government . click apply for full job details
CITIZENS UK Colchester, Essex
Oct 04, 2025
Seasonal
Senior Organiser, Citizens Essex Citizens UK Citizens UK is the UK's biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems. Citizens Essex is a relatively-young Chapter of Citizens UK, covering 3 main geographical areas: Colchester, Chelmsford, and Southend. Our ideal candidate for the position of Senior Organiser has high emotional intelligence, is curious about other people, politically astute, and is fundamentally relational. They will have a track record of making things happen, be able to work with a high degree of independence, are comfortable with uncertainty, and able to think strategically as well as operationally. They will be interested in understanding and working with different sectors and types of organisations, as well as engaging with people from a wide range of faiths and cultures which are different to their own. They are an excellent communicator. They will learn and teach the craft of broad-based organising and be interested in receiving feedback to support their own development and growth. They will build and maintain relationships with a large number of leaders across the County and coach them to take action together on a common agenda. Community Organising Through our theory of social change, called community organising, we train thousands of everyday people to lead change in their communities, equipping them with the skills to hold politicians and other powerholders to account. We are made up of 500+ member organisations in powerful alliances throughout the UK. Our members include schools, universities, faith groups, parents' groups, health practices, charities, trade unions and other civil society organisations. Purpose At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training. Main Responsibilities A Senior Organiser is mastering the craft of community organising and taking increasing responsibility for developing major campaigns, managing budgets and managing staff. They operate with a high degree of independence and are significant contributors to CUK-wide functions such as training. Senior Organisers model the broad-based community organising methodology in their work including the building of relational power, the recruitment and retention of dues-paying institutions, the development of leaders, the strengthening of member institutions, leader-led public actions, and the winning of systemic change. You will bring communities together to drive change both locally, regionally, and nationally. This role will work closely with local civic institutions, such as churches, mosques, schools, universities, unions and other community groups to: develop the leadership of people within those organisations - our 'leaders' who lead the campaigns we work on help them identify the changes they want to see and create strategies to win those changes strengthen institutions' own abilities to achieve their missions. This includes listening to members of the community to find common issues, engaging local decision-makers through meetings, and planning in-person 'actions', where you might hold those in power to account. All of this work is underpinned by the knowledge that everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. This work will be rooted locally, but you will be a part of a bigger national drive to make change alongside diverse local alliances across the UK. In Essex, the work is currently focusing on the first Mayoral Election for the County but you will also work on other campaign priorities that are developed through the institutions you work with. Working as a Senior Organiser for Citizens UK, reporting to Regional Supervisor for the South of England, your main responsibilities will include: Build relational power to further the goals of CUK Develop a comprehensive power analysis for Essex, particularly as the County will elect its first Mayor in May 2026 Develop and grow strong working relationships with power players at a county-wide level or sector, including journalists; taking the initiative to establish new relationships as required Conduct one-to-one relational meetings in order to develop relationships with leaders; demonstrating timely and effective agitation to stimulate action Work effectively with local journalists and media outlets to further CUK's goals Develop a strategic plan to enhance people's participation in public life as well as enhance non-partisan political and democratic practices across Essex. Develop a strategy built on an acute sense of how communities and institutions behave within, and across, the cultures and contexts of Essex. Develop a plan that enables clear and impactful cross-institutional collaboration across Essex. Identify and develop relational leaders prepared to act with others for the common good Work with and learn from the best veteran leaders on key actions Play a central role in the development of primary leaders; creating plans with them that are carried out Nominate leaders for training on the core taster curriculum and for National Training Strengthen institutions and develop BBOs Organise diverse alliances to work together locally but, most importantly, at chapter level Create/develop a leadership team of representatives from several institutions at chapter and local that are successful in combining action with growth Design organising strategies that combine internal & external action Support leaders through the Cycle of Action to create change Take the staff lead on chapter-wide actions and campaigns; aiming to achieve significant wins at chapter/campaign level Facilitate Issues Workshops and Delegates Assemblies and, in March 2026, a Mayoral Accountability Assembly Develop strategies for significant impact; with comprehensive plans & tactics Support actions, ensuring publicity, and facilitating high level negotiations Evaluate the effectiveness of actions; demonstrating ability to incorporate lessons learned into future actions Contribute to CUK's financial viability through effective fundraising & financial management Recruit new dues paying institutions; negotiating annual membership dues and letters of understanding as required Recruit and work with large organisations; ensuring that they invest into the alliance and not solely internal delivery Contribute to fundraising by securing £75k-£90k per annum overall, at least half of which should be 'hard money' from retention and recruitment of member institutions and strategic partners. Contribute to effective teamwork Line manage other Organisers in Essex Attract and help recruit new Organisers Lead other Organisers or Associates in a manner that supports high performance by providing clear expectations and providing proactive coaching, support and accountability. Teach entire training curriculum on National Training successfully; acting as a 'Track Captain' by providing meaningful feedback and support to other trainers Deliver sessions at Guild Days Produce all required reports and follow CUK's procedures on time and to the required standards Contribute to the Craft of Community Organising Schedule an average of at least 3 to 4 1-2-1 relational meetings into your daily schedule as a core part of your professional practice Commit 10 working days pa (pro rata for part-time staff) to the preparation, delivery and evaluation of Citizens UK National Community Leadership Training; Contribute to the leadership of a Guild Team and help it develop as a Community of Practice that enables Organisers across the UK to develop their skills and experience. Inclusion Displays self-awareness of DEI issues and good practice. Is alert to the impact on chapters and team members. Lead, support collaboration and acts within their area of responsibility and influence. Support in the resourcing, evaluation, and reporting of DEI work, as relevant . click apply for full job details