WorkFit Officer (London)

Are you passionate about building relationships that make a real difference? As our Partnerships Officer, you’ll help grow one of the DSA’s most exciting areas of fundraising. This role is centred on developing meaningful partnerships with businesses while also supporting community fundraising across the UK. You’ll have the opportunity to spot new opportunities, develop creative ideas and build long-term relationships that generate income, raise awareness and inspire support for our mission. If you enjoy meeting people, thinking creatively and seeing the direct impact of your work, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsible to: Fundraising and Events Manager

Hours: 35 hours a week

Location: Three days from our Teddington Office and two days at home

We are hoping to recruit as soon as possible. Contact Georgina Lamond, Fundraising and Events Manager, to discuss the position and to apply with a CV and covering letter.

We have an exciting opportunity within our WorkFit programme. This post is for a one‑year fixed term contract with an extension to the term dependent on funding. The Down’s Syndrome Association is the only organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focusing solely on all aspects of living successfully with Down’s syndrome. The Down’s Syndrome Association aims to create the conditions that all people with Down’s syndrome need to live full and rewarding lives. WorkFit is the DSA’s employment initiative, which bridges the gap between employers and candidates with Down’s syndrome. WorkFit aims to find the right role for the right candidate, with the right level of support for success. The project team develop a range of work opportunities for people who have Down’s syndrome including paid work, voluntary work, work experience placements and supported internships.

The successful applicant will join an award‑winning supported employment team working with organisations from SMEs to some of the best known national and international brands to develop employment opportunities for people with Down’s syndrome. We are looking for an experienced supported employment practitioner to be based at home in West London or surrounding counties. You will be responsible for expanding our reach in your designated area by supporting people with Down’s syndrome to access the workplace.

As part of your role, you will:

• develop and enhance employment opportunities for people with Down’s syndrome
• develop and enhance relationships with new and existing employers and other professionals
• develop and enhance partnership links with existing support networks.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of Employment Services. Candidates should have the following:

• Experience of supporting people with learning disabilities and a commitment to supporting them to fulfil their career ambitions.
• A good understanding of supported employment as well as experience within the employment sector.
• Excellent organisational skills with careful and methodical working practices and close attention to detail, working to deadlines and within budget.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to develop strong relationships with people who have Down’s syndrome and their families, employers and other external organisations in order to co-ordinate and facilitate meetings, negotiate opportunities, deliver presentations and training, motivate others and support colleagues.
• Ability to plan and manage project based work and progress opportunities for development.

Salary: £30,000 plus London weighting

Reporting to: Head of Employment Services

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter to Alison Thwaite. If you need any help with this or have any questions, please contact Alison Thwaite.

Closing date: Sunday 2 August 2026.

Interview date: Monday 10 August 2026. Please note that first round interviews will take place online.