South West International Development Network

REGISTER HERE.

Curious about job sharing? Join us for an informal lunchtime event to learn what it is, how it works, and whether it could work for you.

This informal, online event is for women workers and all employers, in celebration of International Women’s Day 2026. Job-sharing disrupts the idea that people exist only as workers, an idea that quietly devalues women by ignoring caring responsibilities, health realities, and the many responsibilities that make up real life. By challenging the assumption that commitment equals constant availability, it exposes how workplace norms have been built around a narrow, male-dominated model that excludes many women. Job-sharing opens up fairer ways of working that recognise whole humans – not just output – and helps chip away at the inequality those old rules sustain.

This session is part of our work to address structural coloniality and inequality within the international development sector. Although aimed at those working and hiring in the social justice sector, it is open to anyone interested in better, fairer ways of working that support full lives, not limit them.

We will hear from Helen and Roya, two friends and colleagues who have been sharing a job for nearly 10 years and making it work for their careers, their employers, and their lives. Helen and Roya will tell the story of how they approached job-sharing, how they’ve pitched it successfully to multiple employers, and how they make it work for them both in practice.

No jargon, no pressure, and no expectation that you already know anything about job-sharing.

This session is for you if:

• You’re curious about job-sharing as a way to stay engaged, visible, and valued at work without sacrificing your health, care responsibilities, or life outside work
• You’re curious about flexible work that doesn’t mean downgrading your role
• You know 2026 needs to bring a change, and wonder if job-sharing might be it
• You learn best from stories and practical experience
• You’re looking to connect with others interested in job-sharing

There will be an optional 15-minutes at the end of the session to connect in breakout rooms for anyone looking to build their network of women interested in job-sharing.

Bring your lunch, turn your camera on or off — whatever works for you. You’re welcome.

REGISTER HERE.

REGISTER HERE.

This 45-minute online session is designed specifically for South West charities who are interested in learning how student placement schemes can support their work in a practical, manageable way.

The session will introduce student placement opportunities connected to the MA Conflict, Security and Development programme at the University of Exeter. Placements total 75 hours and can be completed either during the Easter break or spread flexibly across Term 2 (January – March).

We’ll hear from Exeter about how the placement scheme works in practice, what’s involved in hosting a student, and the level of support provided. You’ll hear about the types of projects students can contribute to, the supervision required, and how placements can help charities build capacity, explore new ideas, or progress specific pieces of work.

Students on this programme bring strong intellectual grounding in issues related to conflict, security, development, and related social and political themes, and are keen to apply their learning in real-world, values-driven settings. The placement forms the practical element of their degree and is designed to be mutually beneficial for both students and host organisations.

This event is ideal for charities, community organisations, and voluntary groups looking for additional capacity and fresh perspectives, without the commitment of a long-term placement.

REGISTER HERE.