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Non-Profit Recruitment Insights Report
Q4 2024
Recruitment insights report for the non-profit sector
Our latest report below analyses data from the non-profit sector for:
- The number of live permanent, temporary and fixed-term contract vacancies
- Availability of hybrid and remote working roles
- Key job discipline hiring, including; fundraising, finance, marcomms, HR & CEO
- The data below was obtained between October - December 2024 from non-profit specialist job boards and agencies.
For more information or if you have any questions about this report contact marketing@tpp.co.uk
This report spotlights trends, challenges and improvements in recruitment within the non-profit sector, to support your organisation with recruiting and retaining talent.
2024 Q4 live vacancies
Between September to November 2024, the ONS reported a drop in vacancies by 3.7% when compared to June to August 2024, with an estimated 818,000 vacancies in the UK. This drop is 1% lower than reported in Q3 (July to September).
Within the non-profit sector vacancies between October – December also dropped, when compared to July to September, with the largest drop in December. This is typical for this time of year, however economic uncertainty has impacted this further.
The UK employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 years was estimated at 74.9% in August to October 2024. This is largely unchanged on a year ago, but up on the latest quarter.
Live jobs advertised by job function
Live vacancy data shows fundraising, marcomms & digital and office and specialist support (O&SS) in the non-profit sector decline during October-December 2024, with the largest dip in December.
This is a common occurrence during December, however when comparing live vacancy data year on year both finance and FR saw the largest drops, just under 50%.
With a focus on much-needed skills within the sector and upcoming employment law changes, we may see an upward trend in specialist areas like fundraising, HR and office and specialist support.
*O&SS - New job function added – This includes roles in administration, PA & executive support, operations, legacy support, membership, programmes, projects, research & policy, data, supporter care
Live vacancies by job type
Data tracked here is for live vacancies within the non-profit sector advertised as permanent, temporary and fixed-term contract.
This quarter saw an increase in temporary vacancies, up by 2%, with the biggest uplift in December. This is also up YoY, by 3%. This is a typical seasonal uplift, covering staff leave and end of year projects. However, not all temporary vacancies across the sector are advertised, as many are filled without the need to advertise, so the volumes of temporary roles are higher.
Overall the distribution of job types have remained consistent during 2024.
9%
average temporary vacancies
22%
average contract vacancies
69%
average permanent vacancies
Flexible Working
Hybrid, Fully Remote & On-Site vacancies
Vacancies advertised as hybrid, fully remote and on-site has remained fairly consistent this year, with a slight increase in hybrid roles since June this year.
With pressure from some employers to turn back the clock on hybrid working, organisations face the question of getting the best candidate in a specific region or the best candidate for the role.
Our findings from our Non-Profit Salary, Rewards & Retention Survey show that when organisations have strict office working policies or offer little to no home working, they struggle to attract both the best and most diverse talent and have live vacancies open and unfilled for a longer period of time.
Based on our interaction with non-profits they are still more inclined to offer flexible working to attract and retain talent, particularly when other benefits and pay are not as attractive as other sectors.
Full-time vs part-time
The number of live vacancies advertised as full-time and part-time has remained consistent during 2024, regardless of market conditions.
185
Average number of live entry-level vacancies
Entry level roles
The average number of vacancies advertised as entry-level was also down during Q4, again likely due to seasonal trends causing a decrease in vacancies.
During 2024, 11% of the live jobs advertised on sector specific job boards are entry level roles.
The decline in entry-level roles during Q4 is consistent with the overall vacancy decline in this period reflecting seasonal recruitment trends, but the fact that only 11% of live non-profit job postings in 2024 are entry-level, raises concern. To ensure long-term sustainability, non-profits need to focus on attracting talent with future-ready skills such as digital literacy, adaptability and innovation, whilst also having a positive impact on diversity within the organisation.
Creating pathways for first-jobbers to thrive through mentorship, training, and professional development is essential. By investing in early-career talent, non-profits can build a resilient pipeline of future leaders and remain adaptable to a rapidly changing world.
2024 Q4 TPP candidate application & availability data
Although there has been a drop in candidate availability during October – December, the number of live vacancies has also decreased, so the number of candidates to live jobs has not dropped.
Organisations have reported significantly higher staff retention rates throughout 2024, however changes may be afoot during 2025, as it is reported that as many 1 in 3 candidates are considering a move this year. Employers taking a more cautious approach to salary increases, a reduction in economic turbulence and ongoing cost of living challenges may combine to influence candidate decision making over the course of this year.
75%
increase in average response to live jobs in 2024 vs 2023
13%
decrease in permanent candidate availability
1%
decrease in temporary candidate availability
Download our Non-Profit Salary, Rewards & Retention Survey
Download our latest Non-Profit Salary, Rewards and Retention Survey.
Our survey report for non-profit organisations and job-seekers, covers:
- Finance & Accountancy
- Fundraising & Development
- Human Resources
- Leadership & Governance (CEO)
- MarComms & Digital
- Office & Specialist Support (data, supporter care, administration, operations, events, EA/PA and prospect research)