Operations Officer

Following the successful secondment of a valued team member, we are looking for a proactive and enthusiastic individual to join our Wales team as an Operations Officer on a fixed‑term basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the operational delivery and development of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), helping more young people to access our life‑changing programmes.

As an Operations Officer, you will manage and support a portfolio of Licensed Organisations (LOs) to ensure the delivery of a high‑quality DofE programme. Most LOs are schools, but you will also work with a diverse range of partners, including colleges, local authorities, charities, pupil referral units, youth groups and young offender institutions.

You will work closely with a team of Operations Officers across Wales, each responsible for their own portfolio. The role is field‑based, involving regular travel to meetings and events. When not attending meetings, you will work from home, and applicants must live within or very close to the allocated portfolio area.

Reporting to an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for day‑to‑day contact with LOs and for supporting delivery of the Wales Business Plan. You will be a passionate advocate for the DofE, motivated to help achieve our ambition of giving more than one million young people the opportunity to participate in our programmes.

Welsh Language

The DofE has been recognised by the Welsh Language Commissioner for our Welsh language provision. Applications from Welsh‑speaking candidates are actively encouraged. Non‑Welsh speakers will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to developing their Welsh language skills.

Key Accountabilities

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Licensed Organisations to support high‑quality programme delivery across your portfolio.
• Provide effective day‑to‑day support to LOs, including induction and training for LO staff.
• Develop and implement short‑ and long‑term action plans in collaboration with LOs.
• Use online management tools to budget, forecast and track targets, and ensure effective use of eDofE across the portfolio.
• Attend regular online and face‑to‑face meetings with LOs, including occasional early morning and evening meetings.
• Carry out licence reviews with existing LOs and support the licensing of new organisations.
• Increase participation among young people who experience marginalisation, helping to expand reach and promote inclusivity.
• Support the preparation, monitoring and reporting of externally funded projects and grant applications.
• Attend and support national events, such as Gold Award Events, which may occasionally require overnight stays or weekend travel.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the UK, contributing to project and working groups.
• Support the implementation of the DofE strategy and the Wales Business Plan.

Qualifications

• Strong ability to build effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to influence external partners.
• Self‑motivated and able to work independently, while also contributing positively within a team.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, with strong written skills including editing and proofreading materials for different audiences.
• Confident verbal communication skills, including the ability to run effective meetings and deliver presentations face‑to‑face and online.
• A solution‑focused approach, with the confidence to challenge poor practice.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data and act on insights.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications.