Senior Advisor, Participation with Lived Experience (PPLE)

Senior Advisor, Participation with Lived Experience (PPLE)

Lumos is an international children’s charity founded in 2005 by the author J.K. Rowling to end the harmful practice of institutionalisation of children. Lumos’s mission is to fight for every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world. Our vision is for all children to grow up in safe and loving families.Position: The Senior Advisor, PPLE is a key role responsible for delivering Lumos’ strategy on safe and meaningful engagement of children, young people, families and caregivers. The post-holder will work across teams to ensure PPLE is mainstreamed throughout the organisation, strengthening Lumos’ internal capacity and approaches to meaningful participation. They will ensure that Lumos programmes demonstrate innovative and transferable approaches to participation, and that people with lived experience are meaningfully involved in national, regional and global advocacy and campaigning, as well as within Lumos’ internal governance.The Senior Advisor will oversee implementation of Lumos’ newly-developed PPLE Strategy – working in partnership with people with lived experience, PPLE Focal Points in Lumos’s four country offices, and other key colleagues. They will supervise and guide the work of PPLE across country teams and Lumos’s central function to develop and deliver high-quality and effective projects that achieve the objectives of the PPLE strategy.The post holder will also work with Global Advocacy, Communications and Fundraising colleagues and country teams to ensure that people with lived experience are well represented in national, regional and global campaigns and initiatives that inform child rights and care reform policy and programming. They will identify and cultivate relationships with relevant stakeholders in the care and related sectors, including with existing national, regional and global networks of care-experienced children and young people, to strengthen partnerships and collaboration around PPLE. The post holder will work hand-in-hand with safeguarding colleagues, acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the PPLE workstream, to ensure Lumos has, and is implementing, appropriate systems to facilitate safe and ethical PPLE that is compliant with data protection protocols. The Senior PPLE Advisor will contribute to fundraising, participating in proposal development, reporting to donors and other related activities.Requirements:Provide technical leadership on PPLE and oversee the implementation of Lumos’ new PPLE Strategy – working in partnership with people with lived experience, PPLE Focal Points, key staff including in Lumos country offices and external partners including participatory networks and associations.Strengthen Lumos’ internal capacity and approaches to meaningful participation of children, youth, parents and caregiversEnsure that participation of children, young people, parents and caregivers is embedded as a cross-cutting priority throughout the organisation’s projects and programmesDevelop an annual strategic plan for PPLE for 2026 and ensure PPLE is included and aligned across the plans, strategies, and projects of other Programmes teamsProvide supervision, coordination and capacity-building to the PPLE team, which comprises PPLE Focal Points across Lumos’ four country offices, including setting and implementing objectives, deliverables and KPIs that will motivate the team and achieve ambitious results, and monitor and track progressEnsure coordination and engagement between PPLE Focal Points and organisational leadershipLead on the development of country programme PPLE strategies in line with Lumos’ 2024-7 strategy, alongside PPLE Focal Points and programmes teamsManage the PPLE budget to ensure objectives are met, high quality deliverables are achieved, and budgets are utilised effectively; potential of managing future PPLE grants and programmes depending on prioritiesCollaborate with the fundraising and Programme teams to develop all project proposals with the Participation of People with Lived Experience embedded throughout, including direct engagement of People with Lived Experience in drafting proposals when appropriateDevelop high-quality reports, quarterly, annual, or other for both internal and external audiences, including donors, in collaboration with relevant teams and support positive relationships with stakeholdersRepresent PPLE at a senior level internally and externally, including in meetings, working groups and committees as neededBuild and nurture relationships with relevant stakeholders in the care reform and other connected sectors, to secure opportunities for the participation and meaningful involvement of people with lived experienceOversee training and capacity building of people with lived experience so they can participate in care reform implementation initiatives and in decisions that affect their livesWork with advocacy and communications colleagues to ensure that people with lived experience are well represented in regional and global campaigns, events and initiatives that inform child rights and care reform policy and programming. Advocate for and facilitate their inclusion in a meaningful, genuine and non-tokenistic mannerCoordinate the planning and delivery of external and internal participation events and activities, at national, regional or international level, for example Lumos’ participatory groups, working closely with Advocacy, Communications and other relevant teams.Promote opportunities for young people to be more actively and meaningfully involved in all areas of Lumos’ work, including organisational governance, in line with Lumos’ strategy 2024-27 and the PPLE Strategy. Lead on the coordination of a Lumos Global Youth Advisory Board in close collaboration with the PPLE Focal Points and other relevant teams.Lead the development of training and capacity building to teams across Lumos, including ELT, to promote and enable a mainstreamed approach to PPLEAct as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the participation function, working closely with safeguarding colleagues and PPLE Focal Points, to ensure Lumos has, and is implementing, appropriate systems to facilitate safe and ethical PPLE that is compliant with relevant organisational policies, including the Safeguarding Policy and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy, and with relevant data protection protocolsAdditionally, the Senior Advisor is expected to:Ensure the required standards relating to safeguarding best practices/protocols are effectively communicated, monitored and maintained within the area of responsibilityLead by example in respect to ensuring safeguarding principles and practices are appropriately appliedIdentify and escalate any gaps or improvements necessary for effective safeguarding in conjunction with the Senior Safeguarding Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead for the area of responsibilityOther information

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENTLumos recognises that the rights of safety and security are aligned with its core mission of ending institutionalisation. Effective and robust safeguarding sit at the heart of our mission and values, and accordingly, Lumos is committed to ensuring the safety and protection of children and adults at risk in all of its work. We expect all staff, associates and volunteers to share this commitment. Lumos has a zero-tolerance approach towards all forms of bullying, harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse or any other form of maltreatment, whether towards children, adults at risk, colleagues or anyone else. Lumos has comprehensive safeguarding and PSEA policies, including expectations for behaviour and conduct that must be followed at all times. Staff and associates will be required to sign the safeguarding policy and Lumos code of conduct, complete a self-declaration and will be provided with a comprehensive safeguarding induction of Lumos safeguarding policies and how to implement them in our work.Lumos is a member of The Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will carefully screen all applicants. Offers of employment are subject to checks and suitable references.EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENTLumos is wholly committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and against all forms of discrimination. We are committed to creating and sustaining a positive working environment that encourages, supports and gives a voice to all, so that we can best support the children we serve. We must ensure that all staff are equally valued, included, empowered and respected across the organisation and in everything we do. Lumos is fundamentally built on diverse, multi-national and multi-cultural teams. This is something we cherish as a key strength and an integral part of our identity. Our organisation values and celebrates the diversity, culture and experience of each member of staff, provides equality of care, and support to everyone. We pledge to listen carefully, to educate ourselves continually, to promote open dialogue, and to seek out and deal with discrimination and prejudice wherever it occurs in Lumos.OUR VALUESChildren are at the heart of everything we do. Every child needs love and care in order to flourish – and we’re proud that this is reflected in the values we hold within our organisation. We want to see all children grow up in safe and loving families. Our core values drive us forward in our vision, underpin every aspect of our work and strategy and are critical to helping us maintain a thriving and effective organisation. By making sure every individual feels valued and empowered, we can bring about the very best outcomes for the children we serve.We embrace COLLABORATIONWe strive for EXCELLENCEWe show RESPECTWe always CAREWe are PASSIONATEWE ARE LUMOSApplicants must have the right to work in the country of application. Please note that feedback will only be provided to candidates who attend an interview. All applicants are required to apply with a CV and Cover Letter. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can discuss your needs. Please submit your application by the closing date of 14th September 2025.Seniority level

Mid-Senior levelEmployment type

Full-timeJob function

General Business and Project ManagementIndustriesNon-profit Organization ..... full job details .....