Founde

Company Description Circles South West is an independent charity established in 2010, dedicated to protecting communities from sexual harm and sexual re-offending. The organization delivers circles of support and accountability, working closely with health, police, probation, and youth offending services across the South West of England. As the only recognized partner of the Ministry of Justice and statutory agencies/MAPPA in this field, Circles South West provides specialist support and accountability that enhances the management of people who have sexually offended in the community. The charity’s work focuses on community safety, rehabilitation, and evidence-based practice, offering a professional and mission-driven environment for team members. Prospective staff can expect to collaborate with multiple agencies and contribute directly to safer communities and improved outcomes for individuals at risk of re-offending.

Role Description The Founder role at Circles South West is a full-time, on-site position based in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Founder will lead the strategic development and local establishment of Circles South West’s mission, building partnerships with statutory and voluntary agencies, including justice, health, and community organizations. Day-to-day responsibilities include setting organizational priorities, overseeing program design and delivery, managing budgets and resources, and ensuring compliance with relevant legal, safeguarding, and ethical standards. The role involves recruiting, supporting, and supervising staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and trauma-informed practice. The Founder will represent the organization in public forums, lead fundraising and stakeholder engagement efforts, and develop policies and processes that support effective circles of support and accountability in the local context.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and organizational development experience, including strategic planning, team management, and governance in a charity, NGO, or social impact setting.
• Background in criminal justice, social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field, with experience working with individuals who have offended and/or survivors of harm.
• Strong skills in partnership-building, stakeholder engagement, and cross-agency collaboration, ideally with justice, health, and community organizations.
• Proven ability in safeguarding practice, risk assessment, and ethical decision-making in sensitive and complex situations.
• Excellent communication skills, including clear written and verbal communication in English; proficiency in Turkish is highly beneficial.
• Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and financial management to support sustainable program delivery.
• Capacity to work on-site, with a hands-on approach to program setup, staff and volunteer support, and community engagement in Istanbul.
• Relevant university degree or equivalent professional qualification; advanced training in safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, or offender rehabilitation is an advantage.