The Gurkha Welfare Trust
Chief of Staff
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
THE ROLE
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated Chief of Staff (COS) to deputise for the CEO in maintaining oversight of the operation in Nepal and to coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Trust’s head office and ensuring that the Trust’s business is carried out in a timely, efficient and cost-effective manner.
In this role, you will report directly to the CEO, working closely with the wider senior management team (SMT) both in UK and Nepal.
If you are an experienced and effective senior manager, a strategic thinker and excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills then we would very much like to hear from you.
Role
Chief of Staff (COS)
Place of Work
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Salary
Circa £65,000 per annum depending on experience
Contract Type
Permanent subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period of six months
Hours of Work
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Hybrid working (3 days in the office, 2 days working from home)
Annual Leave
25 days plus Bank Holidays
Other benefits
- Generous contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution
- Trips to Nepal to see the Trust’s work first-hand
- Private medical insurance
- Company maternity/paternity pay scheme
- Free on-site parking
Application Deadline
7 Aug 2026
Interview
We will be holding interview as/when suitable applications are received.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-
To work closely with the CEO and the rest of the GWT’s Senior Management Team in prioritising day-to-day activities. Whilst primarily focused on internal activities, the postholder will assist the CEO with external matters, deputising for the CEO as directed.
-
To take a proactive role in supporting the CEO in strategy development, and to take the lead responsibility for the GWT’s Management Plan.
-
To maintain oversight of, and to support, when necessary, the activities of the GWT’s operations in Nepal. To be the office primary link between the staff in GWT(N) and the UK Office, other than for fundraising specific activities, with a particular focus on the arrangement of visits (internal & external) between UK and Nepal and the deconfliction of activity.
-
To manage regular meetings of the GWT Senior Management Team and produce a summary for circulation.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
-
To lead the development of the GWT’s policies and procedures with particular focus on Data Protection and Safeguarding. Develop/maintain/update an ESG policy for the GWT in line with SORP2026. To act as the GWT’s Data Protection Officer.
-
To be responsible for leading organisational development to ensure that the GWT has the structure and staff capacity to deliver against targets.
-
To oversee the DCOS’s effective delivery of HR and CPD programmes including recruitment, induction, training, appraisals and disciplinary procedures.
-
As Budget Holder for the UK Office, to ensure the efficient and effective running of the UK Office and its associated infrastructure, including the delivery of staff induction and continuation training.
-
To prepare and manage the administrative elements of the UK Office budget.
-
To oversee the GWT’s IT/Cyber strategy (UK and Nepal) with responsibility for all UK IT procurement and support policies (supported by the Office Manager), and to coordinate and manage all non-fundraising related office contracts.
-
To monitor and support the activities of the GWAC in UK, liaising with Headquarters Brigade of Gurkhas as required.
-
To liaise with the GWT’s Company Secretary from time to time to produce and distribute Committee/Board/General Meeting packs and take minutes and in the absence (for any reason) of a Company Secretary to carry out the administrative aspects of those functions. In the absence of a GWT Company Secretary, or as required by the relevant Committee Chair(s), act as Secretary to the various GWT Committees.
-
To ensure, in close cooperation with the GWT’s Company Secretary from time to time, that the GWT’s governance arrangements are compliant, efficient and meet best practice.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Key skills, knowledge and personal attributes we’re looking for:
Essential:
-
Must be a confident, dynamic and decisive senior manager, with proven leadership, administrative and (written and oral) communication skills.
-
Must demonstrate the ability to work both as a member of a senior management team and across the broad diversity of employees, directors, other stakeholders and contractors at all levels.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
-
Must have a proven record of delivering against competing priorities and deadlines and the ability to think strategically across a range of business areas.
-
Prior service or association with the Brigade of Gurkhas, and an understanding of its retired and active components in Nepal and more generally, is desirable. However, the priority in selection will be meeting the specific requirements of the role as set out in this job description. Candidates with a military, MOD, civil service or relevant charity background will therefore all be considered eligible and are encouraged to apply, alongside those with direct Brigade experience.
-
Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and people skills, and the ability to act as a mediator for conflict resolution when necessary. Must have the personality to communicate confidently and effectively in a manner that is both cordial and empathetic. The GWT has a small HQ/Corporate Service team, and therefore a willingness to be flexible and engage outside the strict confines of the job description is essential. A sense of humour is also a useful attribute.
-
Must have excellent IT skills, to include the ability to use and understand the Microsoft Office suite and to promote and champion business efficiencies through effective use of IT software. Proven experience of the use of, and a keen interest in the use of AI-based tools so as to support the GWT generally and the post specifically would be of particular interest.
-
Must share and be able to contribute to the ethos, values and vision of the GWT.
Desirable:
- Understanding of Charity Commission and Companies House regulations
- Experience of working in fundraising/charity environment
- Understanding of Data Protection, Safeguarding and Health & Safety at Work regulations
QUERIES
If you have any questions over the job description or terms and conditions, please get in touch with us:
- T: 01722 323 955
- E: hr@gwt.org.uk
Please note we may close this vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
TO APPLY
If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and supporting statement addressing the person specification to our HR team at hr@gwt.org.uk
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills