At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of impactful programmes for girls and young women across England.
- Company: Join The Girls' Network, a charity empowering girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with travel; be part of a supportive and inclusive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young women while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme development, training, and safeguarding is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30600 - 30600 £ per year.
Location
Hybrid – Home-based with some regional travel in England
Reports to
Head of Programmes and Impact
Contract
Fixed-term/Temporary maternity cover, approx. 12-month secondment
Salary
£30,600 per annum
Application deadline
Thursday 27th August at 9am
Interview information
We plan to hold online interviews from week commencing 7th September
About The Girls’ Network
The Girls' Network is a national charity with a mission to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a network of professional women role models and volunteer mentors.
We believe no girl should have her future limited by her gender, ethnicity, background, or parental income.
Our vision is a future where all girls are supported to realise their ambitions, discover their self-worth, and shape their own futures.
We partner with secondary schools and colleges across multiple regions in England, including London, Merseyside, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sussex, Tees Valley, Tyne & Wear and the West Midlands.
We match girls aged 14–19 with trained volunteer mentors for one-to-one support.
In addition to this core mentoring, workshops, and access to an Ambassador Community that provides continued opportunities for development, career support, and connection.
Role Summary
The Programme Development Officer is responsible for ensuring that The Girls' Network develops high-quality, consistent, and impactful programmes for girls and young women across all regions.
Working closely with the colleagues in the Programme team, volunteers, and education establishments, the post-holder will support the development and continuous improvement of our mentoring, workshop, and ambassador offer.
They will ensure that programmes are grounded in best practice and aligned to organisational strategy.
Key responsibilities include leading programme quality assurance, developing resources, and delivering staff and volunteer training, while embedding learning from delivery to strengthen outcomes.
Alongside programme development duties, the post-holder will also be a member of the safeguarding team, acting as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO).
In this capacity, they will support the organisation's commitment to providing safe and inclusive programmes to girls and young women.
This role involves supporting delivery staff on day-to-day safeguarding issues, refining policies as required, carrying out risk assessments, and auditing procedures to guarantee that safeguarding frameworks are consistently understood, accurately recorded, and central to service delivery.
Key Duties/Responsibilities
- Programme Development
- Support the development and continuous improvement of The Girls' Network's programme offer, ensuring delivery aligns with organisational strategy and responds to the needs of the girls and young women we serve.
- Develop and maintain programme standards, frameworks, and guidance to drive consistent, high-quality delivery across all regions.
- Take ownership of The Girls' Network volunteering platform, ensuring it effectively supports volunteer engagement and delivery.
- Ensure mentoring, workshops, and wider programme activities are aligned with The Girls' Network Theory of Change.
- Work collaboratively with the wider programme team to identify opportunities to strengthen and evolve programme delivery.
- Stay informed of sector research and emerging practice on mentoring, youth issues, and girls' empowerment, embedding relevant learning into programme design.
- Collaborate with the Head of Programmes & Impact to ensure programme development activity reflects both operational needs and strategic priorities.
- Quality Assurance and Improvement
- Design and implement robust quality assurance processes that underpin excellence and consistency across programme delivery.
- Conduct programme reviews, fieldwork, and quality assurance activities, identifying strengths, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Work closely with the National Programme Manager to embed programme standards in day‑to‑day delivery and support the sharing of best practice across teams.
- Produce actionable recommendations and improvement plans to enhance programme effectiveness and operational delivery.
- Ensure programme resources, guidance, and delivery materials remain current, relevant, and aligned to organisational priorities.
- Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement across programme delivery teams.
- Programme Resources and Training
- Support the development, review, and maintenance of programme resources, workshop content, and mentoring materials.
- Design and deliver training, guidance, and support for programme staff and volunteers to enable effective and consistent delivery.
- Facilitate learning opportunities that build programme delivery capability across the organisation.
- Safeguarding
- Act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and support the development, implementation, and regular review of safeguarding policies and procedures across the organisation.
- Act as a key point of contact for day-to-day safeguarding concerns, informing the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) or relevant statutory bodies of situations/outcomes
- Provide quality safeguarding advice and guidance to staff and volunteers as required.
- Manage and respond to safeguarding concerns, disclosures and referrals, ensuring accurate documentation and appropriate action is taken in line with statutory requirements and The Girls’ Network policies.
Initiate and coordinate referrals to external agencies and services, ensuring follow‑up actions are carried out and monitored
- Contribute to the delivery of safeguarding training and the promotion of best practice across the organisation
- Keep abreast of safeguarding practice, making recommendations as appropriate, to ensure compliance with statutory and organisational guidelines
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of safeguarding legislation, emerging risks, and sector best practice.
- Collate and produce safeguarding reports, data, and narrative for Head of Programmes and Impact as/when required.
Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the role.
It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties required.
Person Specification
Essential
- Qualified teacher or experienced trainer, with a proven ability to design and deliver engaging learning programmes.
- Experience of developing, implementing, and improving youth, mentoring, education, or employability programmes.
- Experience of quality assurance, programme reviews, or service improvement activities.
- Experience developing resources, frameworks, guidance, or training materials.
- Experience using feedback, learning, and evaluation findings to inform programme development.
- Strong organisational and project management skills, including accurate record‑keeping, case management, reporting and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of internal and external partners.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a clear understanding of the barriers faced by girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Strong knowledge of child and adult safeguarding legislation, risk assessment, statutory guidance, and best practice.
- Experience managing safeguarding disclosures and referrals, including liaison with statutory agencies (e. g., social care, police, safeguarding boards).
- Ability to handle sensitive and complex cases with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgement.
- Ability and willingness to travel across our regions, as/when required (travel expenses will be reimbursed).
Desirable
- A full, clean driving licence.
- Experience working within the charity, education, youth, or mentoring sectors.
- Experience developing youth participation and voice programmes.
- Experience designing and implementing quality assurance frameworks, including evaluation approaches focused on outcomes and engagement.
- Knowledge of social and emotional learning, employability, or youth development approaches.
- Experience facilitating training and professional development for staff or volunteers.
- Experience using digital platforms or developing digital resources to support learning, engagement or programme delivery.
- Understanding of charity sector governance and the specific safeguarding considerations when working with volunteers.
- Knowledge of current trends and best practice in mentoring, education, or youth development programmes.
- Diversity at our core
The Girls' Network is an equal opportunities employer.
We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating discrimination.
In line with the Equality Act 2010, if you require any reasonable adjustments to support you with any stage of this recruitment process, please contact the HR team.
- Our Benefits
- 27 holiday days per year, plus public holidays (pro-rata for part‑time staff)
- Option to purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave every year
- Gifted birthday leave
- 3 days volunteering leave per year
- Extended and comprehensive sick pay policy
- Enhanced Family Leave pay policy
- Pension scheme
- Annual professional development fund to help you grow
- 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support
- Benefit from flexible, remote working options with a full suite of home office equipment.
- A dedicated Girls’ Network buddy, available beyond the induction period for ongoing support
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Programme Development Officer (Maternity Cover) employer: The Girls' Network
The Girls' Network is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering young women from disadvantaged backgrounds through meaningful mentorship and workshops. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, the organisation fosters a supportive work culture that values personal growth and professional development, offering facilitators the chance to make a real impact in their communities across the Midlands. As a freelance contractor, you will enjoy flexible working arrangements, competitive daily rates, and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate professionals who share your dedication to inspiring the next generation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Development Officer (Maternity Cover)
✨Get Involved in Local Volunteering
Dive into some local volunteering opportunities! Nonprofits often look for temp workers who have a connection to the community they serve. By getting involved, you not only gain experience but also make valuable contacts in the sector.
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Use platforms like Idealist or local nonprofit job boards to find temporary gigs. These spaces are buzzing with opportunities specifically tailored for social impact projects, making it easier for us to spot the ideal role at companies like The Girls' Network!
✨Attend Sector-Specific Events
Join meetings, workshops, or talks hosted by organisations in the nonprofit realm. These events are perfect for making connections and learning about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised. Plus, you can showcase your passion for social impact right there!
✨Don’t Forget Online Applications!
When you spot a temporary role at The Girls' Network that piques your interest, go ahead and apply through their website! Tailor your message to highlight how your skills align with their mission – it shows you care about the cause, which is key in this field.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Development Officer (Maternity Cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:In the world of nonprofits, it's all about the passion and commitment to making a difference. Make sure your cover letter speaks genuinely about why you're excited about this role at The Girls' Network. Share any experiences you've had with social impact projects or volunteering — it shows you live and breathe the cause!
Highlight Relevant Experience and Skills:For a temporary position in the nonprofit sector, focus on showcasing any specific skills or experience related to project management, community engagement, or fundraising. List any relevant work or volunteer roles on your CV, and consider including quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous positions.
References from the Sector:Including references from previous roles in the nonprofit world can really bolster your application. If you've worked on similar social-impact projects before, ask those colleagues or supervisors if they'd be willing to vouch for your skills. This adds credibility and shows you're trusted in the sector, which can be a big plus for The Girls' Network.
Be Ready for a Quick Turnaround:Since this role is temporary, let your interest shine through in your application! Mention in your cover letter your availability to start immediately or at short notice. It shows you're keen and ready to dive right into the exciting work at The Girls' Network!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Girls' Network
✨Show Your Passion for the Cause
When interviewing for a role in the non-profit sector, especially for a temporary position, it's crucial to convey your genuine passion for social impact. Discuss why the mission of The Girls' Network resonates with you and share personal experiences that reflect your commitment to similar causes.
✨Demonstrate Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Non-profit projects often require quick pivots and resourcefulness. Be ready to share examples from your past where you've adapted to changing circumstances or tackled unexpected challenges. This will show your potential as a valuable, nimble team member for the Programme Development Officer (Maternity Cover) position.
✨Know Your Community Tools
Familiarise yourself with any tools or platforms that are widely used in the non-profit sector like project management software or stakeholder engagement tools. Show your readiness to hit the ground running in your temporary role by discussing any experience you have with these or similar platforms.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to field scenario-based questions during your interview to assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Think about how you would handle challenges typical of the non-profit sector, such as engaging with diverse stakeholders or managing project timelines effectively.
