Policy/Research Jobs in Greater London
ROLE PURPOSE
This position involves identifying and prioritising potential donors capable of making significant contributions to help us deliver a range of projects aimed at enhancing the student experience and supporting the local community. By providing the Development and Fundraising Team with tailored and insightful research, this role will enhance the prospect funding pipeline and facilitate the cultivation of a diverse pools of donors, including individuals, grant-making trusts, and companies. This role will also manage a well-structured stewardship program for donors. Responsibilities include promptly acknowledging donations, creating personalised impact reports, and overseeing bi-annual events which recognise and celebrate their support.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
· To maintain and develop the University’s database of fundraising prospects through proactive identification, analysis, and segmentation, (individual and aggregate) record updating, and original research, including the identification of new prospects.
· To prepare prospect profiles (which may include wealth ratings), and work with relationship managers to devise appropriate tailored cultivation and solicitation plans, enabling appropriately targeted fundraising asks.
· To develop and manage reporting in the database across fundraising portfolios to help ensure prospects are strategically moving along the prospect pipeline towards major gift solicitation • To produce and provide due-diligence reports on prospective donors as part of the University’s gift acceptance procedures.
· To deliver an annual donor recognition event to acknowledge and celebrate the support of the University’s most generous supporters.
· To organise smaller bespoke events for higher level donors to the university, for example, site visits to project sites and/or opportunities to meet student beneficiaries.
· To write insightful and impactful bespoke reports for donors supporting the University, ensuring reports demonstrate the positive impact of support and encourage repeat gift solicitation from the fundraising team.
· To keep abreast of regulations, including the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) ensuring that all prospect research and cultivation is compliant and understood by fundraisers.
· To undertake any other duties as appropriate within their competence, as required by their Head of Unit from time to time.
CONTEXT
The primary purpose of the Development team is to secure philanthropic income to support the delivery of the University’s Being Westminster 2022-2029 strategy. The Development team forms part of the Global Recruitment, Admissions, Marketing and Communications (GRAMC) directorate. The team also works closely with the Business Engagement Directorate to deliver an integrated approach to the University’s relationships with its key external stakeholders. The Development team collaborates with the Alumni Relations team to inspire and engage the University of Westminster’s vibrant, global community of alumni and supporters to build lifelong and mutually beneficial relationships with the institution.
DIMENSIONS
· The role has no budgetary responsibility.
· This role will be expected to manage a varied workload with limited, direct supervision.
· The post holder will be expected to support key GRAMC activity which may include some unsocial working hours.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
· Educated to degree level.
· Membership in a relevant professional body (e.g. CASE)
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
· Experience researching potential funders/prospects or investors using a range of sources and analysing and synthesising findings.
· Familiarity with a range of tools and information sources useful to prospect research
· Strong working knowledge of fundraising and understanding of the fundraising and gift management process.
· Experience of working with CRM systems
· Experience in working with large and complex sets of data; analyzing and communicating key findings in an understandable way
· Experience in handling confidential data with tact and discretion, with good practical knowledge of the Data Protection Act
· To understand individual health and safety responsibilities and an awareness of the risks in the work environment, together with their potential impact on both individual work and that of others.
· Experience in delivering events that recognize and acknowledge key stakeholders thoughtfully and creatively.
Desirable
· Experience working within a Development and Alumni Relations/Advancement function within a UK HEI
· Experience of The Raiser’s Edge
· Thorough knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
APTITUDES, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential
· Excellent interpersonal, networking, and verbal communication skills and proven credibility in engaging senior internal and external stakeholders, clients, and donors
· Strong writing skills and the ability to write compelling and insightful reports that demonstrate impact.
· Ability to work well under pressure and to successfully manage several projects simultaneously, to deadline.
· MS Office proficiency and experience with Excel spreadsheets
· Excellent organizational skills, methodical approach, and attention to detail
· High attention to detail
· Fully committed to contributing to a stimulating learning and working environment that is supportive and fair, based on mutual respect and trust, and in which harassment and discrimination are neither tolerated nor acceptable.
· A proven record of working cooperatively and flexibly as part of a team.
· Commitment to the role of philanthropy within a university setting
· Resilient and tenacious
· Self-starter, able to act on own initiative.
· The post holder will be expected to work unsocial hours on occasion.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this vacancy, please visit our vacancies page where you will be able to download our application form template. You will then be requested to complete a quick registration before being able to upload the completed application form and any supporting documentation.
Applications should include:
· A concise statement in support (ideally no longer than two pages), addressing the criteria in the Person Specification and motivation for applying.
· You may also include an up-to-date curriculum vitae;
· names and contact details of two referees (although referees will only be approached at the offer stage).
The deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on 7 April 2024.
Interviews will take place on 16 April 2024.
An appointment will be made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory references being obtained.
At the University of Westminster, diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity are at the core of how we engage with students, colleagues, applicants, visitors and all our stakeholders.
We are fully committed to enabling a supportive and safe learning and working environment which is equitable, diverse and inclusive, is based on mutual respect and trust, and in which harassment and discrimination are neither tolerated nor acceptable.
The University has adopted Smart Working principles to support and further our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims of being an inclusive, collaborative and flexible employer. Further details of Smart Working can be discussed at interview stage.
OUR BENEFITS
The University offers a range of well-being and work-life balance benefits to recognise and reward the essential contribution our colleagues make to success and growth. Our benefits are inclusive for colleagues of all backgrounds including LGBTQ+ colleagues, disabled colleagues, pregnant colleagues, parents, and carers, as well as colleagues of all genders, ages, ethnicities, nationalities, religions and beliefs, and marriage and civil partnership status.
· 35 days annual leave per year, plus bank/national holidays and University of Westminster closure days (pro-rata for part-time staff).
· A generous occupational pension scheme.
· Annual incremental progression and/or cost of living reviews.
· Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
· Flexible working and smart working.
· Learning and development opportunities.
· Free membership rates for a wide range of sporting facilities, including gyms at Regent Street and Harrow campuses, as well as the Chiswick Sports Ground.
· Employee assistance programme.
· The opportunity to participate in other attractive employee benefit schemes such as Cycle to Work, Eye Care Vouchers, Season Ticket Loans, and Give As You Earn.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking an International Policy Adviser to join our International Team, providing key support in the development and delivery of an aligned and impactful programme of international policy activities.
The role
The International Policy Adviser will help take forward the Academy’s international engagements and policy advice. Working with colleagues, Academy Fellows and the researchers we support, you will work on strands of the Academy’s diverse and fast-moving international policy portfolio.
You will manage a set of discrete projects and associated activities related to the Academy’s international thematic priorities, particularly Just Transitions.
You will be a source of expertise for the Academy’s international engagement with responsibility to represent the Academy externally.
This is an exciting opportunity to gain unique exposure to international policy engagement working at the interface of research, policy and practice with stakeholders globally.
You are an effective communicator, able to collaborate with both external and internal stakeholders. You are also confident working independently, and have excellent planning, organisational, and time management skills.
About the Academy
The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,400 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy.
The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team. We have increased staffing in the last 12 months and expect to continue to grow this year.
Working at the Academy
Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow.
Terms and conditions
The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1 – a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week, with hours and location worked flexibly under our hybrid-working policy; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised restaurant and an excellent occupational pension.
How to apply
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.
To apply, and to see the full job description and our workplace values, please follow the Apply link to access the Applied recruitment platform.
Please contact the HR team if you have any questions.
Applications must be received no later than 12:00 noon on 4 April 2024.
About the Foundation:
The Avicenna Foundation was set up in 2023 to to support outstanding young British Muslims by providing them with scholarships for their undergraduate degree. The scholarships are mainly focused on awarding scholarships in the Social Sciences and Humanities for those interested in politics, policy-making and becoming agents of positive change.
Alongside the scholarship, the Avicenna Foundation runs a development programme for the scholars to expand their skills and abilities in various areas like leadership, communication and collaboration.
The Foundation has developed immensely in the first year with the launch of the charity; onboarding of it’s first cohort of 30 scholars and the development of a leadership programme. It now needs propelling into the next stage as the charity develops to ensure a robust charity structure and programme in place.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations:
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the charity, and manage changes required within programmes and activities as a result of changing external landscapes or contexts.
- Implement strategies for advertising the scholarships, receiving and reviewing applications, shortlisting candidates, conducting interviews, and making final selection decisions. Some of these things are already in place and may need reviewing and enhancing.
- Work with the Scholar Development Coordinator to oversee the leadership development programme, provide guidance and help the programme to grow.
- Maintain regular communication with the scholars, their progress, and address any issues or concerns that may arise.
- Ensure programme objectives and outcomes align with the overall strategy and aims of the Foundation, and are realistic and achievable within timeframes and budgets.
- Organise any events, programmes necessary to the scholars.
- Use data to track progress and drive improvement; proactively manage risks; and ensure effective use of the Foundation’s resources and budgets allocated to you.
Governance:
- Provide leadership and guidance to achieve consistency of governance across all of the Foundation’s activities, from development, delivery, measurement and evaluation and reporting perspectives.
- Regular communication and updates to the board, prepare board papers and contribute to Trustee meetings as required.
- Create, maintain and ensure continued adoption of governance frameworks, policies and templates.
- Ensure implementation and maintenance of risk registers for the charity and across all programmes.
- Manage finances, budgeting, reporting, and record-keeping
- Prepare the Foundation’s annual report.
External Engagement
- Lead on strategic communications by developing and implementing an integrated public affairs and communication plan that are consistent with the goals and values of the Foundation.
- Building and cultivating exceptional diverse reciprocal partnerships across a wide range of stakeholder groups, grounded in delivering impact through collaboration.
- Work with educational partners to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the scholarship programme
- Leverage messaging and networks to positively impact the growth and reputation of the Foundation.
- Strengthen our brand reputation to maximise our impact and reach.
- Help identify, create and develop meaningful opportunities for the young people the Foundation works with.
- Establish an alumni network and support continuous professional development for alumni.
- Produce briefings and critical information for internal and external stakeholders, and review reports, submissions, and letters where appropriate.
Experience and Skills
This is not a prescriptive list, and we do not expect applicants to meet every item outlined below. We recognise that it can be hard to find the ideal balance of knowledge and skills for this role. We are open to what this balance is, so if you are stronger in one or the other area but think you could do the job please still apply, and tell us why the role is right for you.
Required
- An appreciation and understanding of the Foundation’s values and vision.
- Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, combined with the ability to liaise with senior stakeholders.
- Experience in successful partnership working.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, lead, influence and motivate others.
- Good financial acumen and experience of managing and working within set budgets.
- A proactive, flexible approach, and ability to progress work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Diplomatic approach and highly self-motivated with a positive and energetic attitude.
- Focuses on what matters most, setting priorities and adapting them where required, with the right level of communication.
- Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills.
- Takes satisfaction in delivering work to a consistently high standard, and programmes on time and on budget.
- Communicates clearly and confidently to senior team members, and presents information effectively, at the right time, with the right level of information.
- Plans ahead, anticipates and reacts to change and project needs, and remains flexible and adaptive in the face of change.
- Experience of working to tight deadlines without close supervision.
- The ability to identify personal strengths and weaknesses, and a willingness to develop, adapt and learn
- A passion and interest in developing work streams to support the development of young people.
- A high level of digital literacy to include MS Office, G Suite, social media and other online platforms.
Advantageous
- Knowledge and experience in effective charity governance, with experience working within the charity/non-profit space.
- Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK as it relates to issues impacting students, young people and Muslim communities.
- Expertise in project/programme management with proven ability to manage complex projects, including the ability to develop and manage budgets, timelines, and resources.
- Structured thinking when working through problems, overcoming hurdles, mitigating risks and dealing with issues.
- Confidence in, and experience in, liaising with a wide range of stakeholders and project participants
- Previous work within areas of young people, local communities, or further education is a plus.
- An understanding of effective safeguarding (training can be provided, but experience an advantage)
- An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant field.
Please note that this job description is a guide to the work you will initially be required to undertake, but does not cover all of the duties the post holder may have to perform. Responsibilities will evolve over time, in discussion with the post holder.
Future Frontiers - Senior Fundraising Manager
About Future Frontiers
At Future Frontiers, we support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to realise their potential at school and achieve post-16 qualifications that build towards secure, fulfilling employment.
In partnership with schools, businesses and supporters, we deliver an evidence-based programme of career coaching and 1:1 guidance for young people when they are in Year 10 and 11. This year, we are working with 3,000 young people across Greater London.
Your responsibilities
- Build lasting relationships with supporters
- Develop and manage a portfolio of supporters
- Write applications for funding
- Report on impact
- Line managing our Fundraising Coordinator
- Record-keeping
About you
Experience
Managing relationships with trusts and foundations, or similar transferable skills from a sales/fundraising background (essential): Experience of applying to and stewarding trusts and foundations to secure 5+ figure gifts over multiple years, and/or similar experience of building relationships to meet income targets.
Identification and cultivation of new business (essential): Experience of independent research and cultivation to develop a pipeline of trusts and foundations, and/or similar experience of generating new business.
What we can offer you
- Annual leave of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with service
- Flexible working with regular working from home as standard, 4pm finish on Fridays
- Annual personal training and development budget of £300
- Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
- Team building offsites and regular team socials throughout the year
- Additional parental leave pay and additional childcare leave for child’s first 2 years
We are particularly interested to hear from candidates who have not been to university or who have lived experiences relatable to our young people.
Please see the full job description for details.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking a talented Programme Officer to join our expanding Research team. We encourage a passionate individual who would like to work full-time or part-time to apply for this wonderful permanent role.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Research team and make a real difference. The Academy’s Research programmes support excellent engineering researchers, based in UK universities and institutions, working in partnership with the UK industry to drive innovation.
The role
Your main role will be across the research grant schemes, contributing to programme activities according to the Academy’s business need. We are looking for someone who can run both efficient application and selection processes for grant schemes and help build and maintain engagement with a community of awardees. You will play an important role in making sure that grant recipients have a strong, beneficial relationship with the Academy, and each other.
We have an inclusive and flexible approach to hybrid working based on trust and respecting individual differences.
Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are interested in a full or part time role.
Who are we looking for?
To be successful, you will have a broad knowledge of administration systems, procedures and processes and be highly organised with excellent time management skills with the ability to work on your own initiative.
Who are we?
The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.
Why work for the Royal Academy of Engineering?
We’re looking for people who are driven to make the world a better place. If you’re passionate about what you do and want to work collaboratively with talented colleagues to make change happen now and for future generations, we want you to get in touch.
This is the perfect time to join us. We have a dynamic, visionary CEO, a strong leadership team and an ambitious and exciting strategy. The value we bring as experts in our field and change agents is highly recognised and makes the Academy a motivating place to be. Our work today builds on a long, proud history with a focused and ambitious future which we’d love you to be part of.
We are looking for talented people who want to make a difference, to join our team – is this you?
Company Benefits
The Academy offers a fantastic package of additional benefits including:
- BUPA cash plan
- Private medical insurance
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme
- Independent Financial Advice
- Non-contributory pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
- Life Assurance, 4x annual salary
- Health and wellbeing programmes
- Generous holiday allowance
- Wellbeing days and office wide Christmas leave
- Significant investment into your personal and professional development
- Regular social activities
- Subsidised restaurant
Location
Our light, spacious head office is based in a fantastic location in central London with views over St James’s Park and close to the West End. We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with a baseline for office-based working of a mandatory weekly team day plus further days each week as required for the role and the Academy.
How to apply/Interview process
To find out more and to apply, please visit our website. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload a CV and a supporting statement explaining your interest in this role and how you fit the experience, knowledge, and skills profile. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete two competency-based tasks prior to interview.
Closing date: 4th April 2024.
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis, so please apply early. Last interviews will be held in our London office or virtually by request on 18 and 19th April 2024.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications.
The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title Senior Policy Researcher for Northern Ireland
Location Based in Belfast (Home working with in person meetings in London on an ad hoc basis.)
Salary £35,000 - £45,000
Hours Full Time, permanent (flexibility may be offered for an excellent candidate.)
Reports to Director of Policy and Research
Main purpose and scope of the role:
Parentkind is a national charity and we work across all four nations of the United Kingdom and the devolved institutions and governments.
The successful candidate would be expected to support our work in Northern Ireland and have demonstrable experience of the political system in Northern Ireland.
In addition to their work in Northern Ireland the successful candidate will support the wider aims of the Policy and Research Department across the UK.
We are the voice of parents in education, we represent 13,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and have an ambition to develop an internal parent ‘think tank’ within the organisation.
This is an exciting role if you have a passion for politics, a background in policy research and interested in education policy and politics.
The role will involve conducting research on education policy and making policy recommendations based on that research. Some research will be time sensitive and involve summarising information and presenting it in an easy to understand way. There will be longer research projects to support the charity to develop policy positions and maintain our position as a strong voice for parents in education.
Alongside the research requirements of the role, you will be expected to support our political and broader stakeholder engagement activity to make sure the work we do is understood and seen by the right people.
You will have experience of working with political stakeholders in Northern Ireland and a strong understanding of the political structures and processes in Northern Ireland, as well as experience in political engagement to promote research and policy recommendations.
If you love politics and want to spend your days writing about education policy this is the role for you. You will represent Parentkind at important events and meetings and have the chance to promote our research and policy recommendations.
Duties and key responsibilities
Policy research and analysis
- To conduct research on education policy in Northern Ireland under the guidance of the Director of Policy and Research.
- To produce summarise large amounts of information and produce briefing material on education policy for external audiences, often at pace.
- To provide political monitoring and advice for the department, to include:
- debates and questions in the Northern Ireland Assembly
- future business across in the Northern Ireland Assembly,
- policy development.
- To provide rapid briefing material for any relevant future business in the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Draft questions (and an understanding of how to structure questions) in the Northern Ireland Assembly
- To support the development of parent surveys to related to our policy work.
- To support the development of policy recommendations and experience of publishing policy related research.
Political engagement
- To organise policy led events, such as roundtable discussions or meetings of politicians across all U.K. legislatures and experience of managing political events.
- To identify political stakeholders relevant to our work in Northern Ireland, including:
- officials inside government departments,
- elected representatives,
- think tanks and other relevant research institutions.
- To maintain a wide range of political contacts and meet with political stakeholders to promote our research and policy work.
- To meet with organisations with an interest in our work and provide effective briefings.
- To attend party conferences and other education led events to represent Parentkind.
Media engagement
- To support the Director of Policy and Research in media engagement, including background research for press releases.
- To summarise our policy and research ready for social media platforms.
General Responsibilities
- To ensure Data Protection procedures are followed at all times
- To keep abreast of relevant educational policy and legislation affecting our key audiences
- To be flexible within the broad remit of the post.
- To undertake other duties as reasonably requested by the Chief Executive or Director of Policy and Research.
- To attend and participate in Parentkind’s performance, development and training programmes.
- To abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
- To be responsible for the health, safety, welfare of self, other members of staff and visitors.
This job description may be amended from time to time and does not form part of the Employment contract.
Residents must be based in or within commutable distance of Belfast.