Operations Officer Suffolk (Lowestoft, Bungay, Beccles, Framlingham, Woodbridge & Ipswich) and [...]

Application Deadline: 26 March 2026

Department: Operations England

Location: Field based - England

Compensation: £29,366 - £34,548 / year

We help young people to build life‑long belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their own passions and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove yourself that you’re ready for anything nothing can hold you back. Do you want to be part of that?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a world leading youth charity which gives young people the chance to develop skills for work and life. Our structured programmes of volunteering, physical and skills‑based challenges inspire, guide, and encourage young people to widen their experiences and learn new skills. Through a licensing process, we partner with youth organisations and support them in their delivery of our programmes to their young people. These organisations range from schools and colleges to local authorities, charities, secure units, and community organisations.

Working within our values and behavioural framework, this role involves closely managing the relationships of our partner organisations (known as Licensed Organisations – LOs) and ensuring LOs within your portfolio offer quality and inclusive DofE programmes to young people. While managing these relationships across your portfolio area in Suffolk (Lowestoft, Bungay, Beccles, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Ipswich) and Great Yarmouth, you will also identify and develop new relationships with appropriate educational and community organisations to widen the access of the DofE to young people, particularly those who experience marginalisation.

You will be undertaking regular meetings, in person and virtually, engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders at different levels in partner organisations across your portfolio area. When not out at meetings, you will be working from home. Whilst you won’t be working directly with young people, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are having a positive impact on their future opportunities.

The successful application should live within, or very close to, the portfolio area which covers Suffolk (Lowestoft, Bungay, Beccles, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Ipswich) and Great Yarmouth.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a team player who has a passion for the development of young people and who will be enthusiastic, who can engage and influence a variety of stakeholders and who will be an authentic ambassador for the DofE. You will need to have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders and have the skills to inspire and influence them to enable young people to participate in DofE. To undertake the role, you’ll need to be exceptionally organised, have the ability to prioritise your workload, meet deadlines, and have excellent administrative skills, being both computer literate and competent in MS Office applications. We are looking for someone who is flexible in their approach, has a positive outlook and who will actively contribute to our team.

How to apply and interview dates

If you feel excited by this role and believe you have the necessary skills and experience to become a valued team member, please go to our website and apply. The deadline for applying for this role is: 26th of March at midnight. 1st interviews will take place on: Tuesday 14th of April (virtually via Teams) 2nd interviews will take place on: Tuesday 21st of April (Face to face in Ipswich venue to be confirmed).

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if you would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us by email recruitment@dofe.org.

Benefits

We offer excellent staff benefits including a generous pension contribution, an employee assistance programme, healthcare cash plan and volunteer leave. Also, 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and the New Year. Buy additional annual leave, benefits discount website, death in service benefit 4 x salary, incapacity benefit, generous family leave and sick leave.

The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.