Breakthrough project officer jobs

About Orbis UK

Orbis UK is an affiliate of Orbis International, an eye care charity that transforms lives through the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness and visual impairment.

Over 1.1 billion people live with vision loss in the world today. Yet for a staggering 90% of these people, visual impairment is treatable or could have been prevented.

At Orbis we work to change this injustice by providing treatment to thousands of people each year, training new generations of eye health-workers, and leading cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs that restore sight. Our vision is a world where communities strive together in the fight to save sight, and no-one is needlessly blind.

Orbis UK (Orbis Charitable Trust) is a registered charity in the UK and raises income from funders across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, towards our global commitment to eliminate avoidable blindness. In 2024, the UK team raised £5.1m.  These funds supported 18 projects across 8 countries. With these funds we delivered 9,908 training sessions for health workers, enabled 469,287 eye screenings, 37,378 treatments and delivered 2.5m doses of antibiotics to tackle trachoma.

Our ambition is to grow our income to £10 million per year within the next five years.

Overall purpose of the role

The Trusts and Foundations Officer role will be responsible for securing five-figure funding from Trusts and Foundations and management of existing donor relationships to ensure effective stewardship. The role will also manage small Trust mailings and provide wider support to the team by maintaining funder records in Raisers Edge, developing case for support and supporting internal reporting on Trust fundraising activity.  

We’re looking for an experienced Trust Fundraiser who can drive forward our income growth from both our existing and new supporters with skills in researching Trusts, writing compelling funding proposals and reports and in particular growing the medium Trust fundraising programme.

There are four key areas of responsibility for the role:

i) Identifying and researching Trusts that have the ability to give at the five-figure level, maintaining a pipeline of planned applications.

ii) Preparing high quality, written applications and reports to funders.

iii) Reviewing and growing a small Trust mailing programme (under 10K)

iv) Provision of support to the team in Raisers Edge data management and internal reporting.

Full details of the job description are attached below.

Benefits of working for Orbis UK

Before completion of probation:

· Competitive Salary benchmarked annually

· Minimum 25 days holiday pro-rated increasing with length of service

· Life Assurance Policy (4 x salary)

· Employee Assistance Programme

· E-learning Courses

· Social Activities

· Flexi-time

· Free Sight Test

After completion of probation:

· Matched employer pension contribution up to a maximum of 10% of basic salary

· Interest free season ticket loan

· Cycle to work scheme

· Contribution to cost of new prescription glasses

· Possibility of an overseas project visit after 3 years’ service

Application and interviews

Closing Date: Friday, 5th December 2025

Interviews: W/C 8th December 2025

Start Date: January/February 2026

All applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK.

Orbis UK is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from any suitably qualified persons. We operate an anonymised recruitment procedure so that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability, race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. This will ensure all applicants are assessed solely on the strength of their application and not be affected by unconscious bias or confirmation bias

Orbis UK acknowledges and recognises the disadvantages and barriers people from underrepresented and socially diverse groups face in the workforce. Orbis UK is committed to addressing this issue and we strongly encourage those from underrepresented and socially diverse groups (Black and Ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ and candidates with disabilities) to apply.

Safeguarding: Orbis UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and criminal records checks. Orbis UK is also a member of the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS)

A permanent position has arisen in our friendly and fast-moving Public Affairs and Campaigns team. The role will support Alzheimer’s Research UK to seize opportunities for improving the political environment for dementia research, treatment and prevention and increase our impact with government and in parliament.

The role will work closely with colleagues in policy and campaigns to develop opportunities for influencing decision-makers and make breakthroughs possible by promoting our key policy asks. You will engage with stakeholders across parliament, government and the wider sector to support the growth of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s influence and ultimately address the harm and heartbreak caused by dementia.

This is a creative directorate, and our Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns teams are focused on developing solutions to critical and complex issues. You will have opportunities to work on projects and initiatives that take the charity in exciting new directions. The role is likely to include regular work in Westminster, Whitehall and elsewhere in the UK.

Key Responsibilities:

 Public Affairs:

· Develop and deliver influencing plans to secure our key policy asks on dementia research, treatment and prevention.

· Work with colleagues to develop and deliver proactive and reactive parliamentary activity to grow ARUK’s network of engaged, informed and supportive political stakeholders.

· Work across the policy and public affairs team to assist in developing tailored briefings and materials to further ARUK’s policy and public affairs ambitions.

· Keep abreast of the dementia research and political environments and use political intelligence and insight to help inform the team’s work and direction.

· Provide analysis and insight on relevant legislation and policy guidance to help further and inform ARUK’s policy and public affairs work.

· Prepare parliamentary briefings, develop submissions for parliamentary questions and other opportunities presented through the parliamentary system.

· Lead on gathering information to measure our public affairs impact and report regularly, including across the organisation and up to Directors.

Campaigns and awareness raising

· Work with the policy, public affairs, campaigns, research and communications teams to help deliver public affairs campaigns and campaign messaging focused on ARUK policy objectives and help shape these messages for a political audience.

· Work with the communications and digital teams to help develop digital public affairs opportunities.

Event and meeting management

· Planning and coordinating parliamentary events focused around ARUK key policy and public affairs objectives.

· Represent ARUK at parliamentary and other events and conferences, including national party conferences.

· Co-ordinate and attend meetings with parliamentarians and stakeholders alongside senior staff and to provide briefings for staff and take follow-up actions.

· Liaise with colleagues, scientists, supporters and stakeholders at all levels.

What we are looking for:

· Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience

· Experience of working with parliamentarians

· Knowledge of the UK political system and an interest in politics, public affairs and campaigning

· Experience of building positive relationships with decision-makers, influencers or supporters

· Excellent personal communication skills with the ability to communicate persuasively with people at all levels

· Ability to write professionally and adapt communications for different audiences

· Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

· Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload

· IT literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office

· Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values

· Professional and hard-working team player

· Ability to use own initiative with a proactive and problem-solving attitude

Willingness to work outside of regular office hours and overtime during busy spells

Additional Information:

Ways of working:

Agile - As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £30,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 30th November 2025, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We’re looking for a Research Funding Officer to join our team

Salary: £34,754

Base: Central Edinburgh/hybrid

Hours: Full time and permanent.  35 hours a week over core working hours of 10am – 3pm, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour lunch break. The office is open 8am – 7pm daily and our hybrid working policy requires all full-time employees to work at least two days a week in the Edinburgh office. 

Benefits: 10% employer pension contribution; private medical insurance; employee assistance programme and counselling service; enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay; enhanced sick pay; 31 days’ paid holiday/year plus four paid winter public holidays; 2-weeks fully remote working/year; three paid carer days/year; death in service benefit; cycle to work and travel season ticket schemes.

To support the Team’s work-life balance, we work a nine-day fortnight where the charity is closed every second Friday.  

About the role and what we’re looking for

What will you be doing?

· Supporting applicants from all over the world to bring us their new ideas in cancer research by providing guidance in a timely manner. You’ll receive and process discovery cancer research funding applications, ensuring validity and completeness.  

· Leading on the expert peer review process. You’ll identify appropriate expert reviewers to ensure that the charity receives high quality, independent review advice to inform funding decisions.

· Managing funded grants. You’ll build relationships with grantholders and process change requests to best serve the science of our funded awards.

· Working with partner organisations.  You’ll collaborate with our research partners to manage co-funded projects as well as providing funding information for internal and external purposes. 

· Demonstrating our values. As a Curestarter, you’ll demonstrate our values every day - curious, united, real, entrepreneurial and spirited – as you help bring about our vision that no life is cut short by cancer.

What are we looking for?

· With a higher degree in a biomedical related field, you have excellent scientific understanding of molecular and cell biology as well as a broad knowledge of cancer research.

· You have a good understanding of research funding processes, particularly peer review and conflicts of interest.

· You’re a collaborative person who works respectfully in a diverse team of experts to deliver work that makes an impact.

· As a detailed planner and organiser, you thrive on deadlines and feel confident prioritising your time across multiple, concurrent projects.

Who are we? 

At Worldwide Cancer Research, we start new cures. Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but cutting-edge science can give us hope. Discovery research seeks to uncover new knowledge that could change the way we think about cancer. It reveals new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer that can save lives.

We actively seek unconventional and imaginative ideas from scientists at all stages of their career, across the globe. In some cases, we are the only organisation that will fund a scientist’s idea. We take an unbiased approach to research funding by focusing on supporting only the best ideas for new cures. By having a diverse research portfolio, we increase our chances of finding breakthroughs.

Our vision is of a day when no life is cut short by cancer, and we believe we can achieve this by starting the life-saving advances of the future by sowing the seeds of discoveries. Anyone that helps bring forward breakthroughs – including our staff, our supporters, and the researchers we fund – is a Curestarter.

As a charity, we are committed to opportunity without barriers, and we are striving to seek, value and learn from different perspectives and experiences. We want Worldwide Cancer Research to be an inclusive organisation – where everyone can be themselves and feel valued – as diverse as the scientific community we fund and the families whose lives we impact.

We are committed to ensuring that we provide equal opportunities to every applicant regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We aim to ensure that our recruitment process is unbiased and that everyone is treated equitably because our team members are at the heart of everything we do to start new cancer cures around the world.

To help start new cancer cures and save lives, we are looking for a Research Funding Officer to join the busy Research team at Worldwide Cancer Research, to help the charity run its multi-million-pound funding programme for discovery cancer research.

Pancreatic Cancer UK is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Head of Finance.

Pancreatic Cancer UK goes above and beyond for everyone affected by this disease. Right now, half of the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within three months. Families are left with only hope to hold onto but they need more. So, Pancreatic Cancer UK does more.

Pancreatic Cancer UK is now seeking an experienced Head of Finance to take full ownership of the finance function. This pivotal leadership role will enable the Director of Finance, People and Operations to focus on strategic priorities while ensuring robust financial management, insight, and governance across the charity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Taking full ownership of Pancreatic Cancer UK’s finance function, including financial and management accounting, VAT, and statutory reporting.
• Partnering with directorates across the charity to develop budgets, forecasts, and reporting that support strategic decision-making.
• Enhancing the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of financial data to create a more forward-looking, insight-driven finance function.
• Leading the continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and reporting, driving efficiencies and better collaboration.
• Providing financial leadership during key projects, including a VAT review and ongoing improvements to forecasting and controls.
• Managing, mentoring, and developing a small but high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the senior and wider leadership team, ensuring financial risks and opportunities are clearly communicated and understood.

The Organisation

Pancreatic Cancer UK is courageous, compassionate, and collaborative in all it does. Every member of the team shares one mission and one purpose: to transform outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer. Their five-year strategy: Finding breakthroughs. Giving hope. Saving lives.
In the last five years, they have seen more progress than in the previous five decades. In the next five years, they are determined to step up the pace and drive this progress even further, transforming how people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed, treated, and cared for and ultimately saving lives.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience as a Head of Finance or similar senior finance leadership role, ideally within a charity or not-for-profit organisation of comparable size (£5m–15m income).
• Strong technical skills across both financial and management accounting.
• Excellent understanding of budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting and financial control.
• Experience leading and developing a finance team and driving process and system improvements.
• A collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting fundraising and operational teams, ideally in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• A proactive mindset and commitment to the mission and values of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

The role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, a minimum of two days per week based in their central London office and comes with a comprehensive and attractive range of employee benefits. The closing date for applications is 30^th November, but applications will be reviewed on a on a rolling basis so early submission is encouraged.

Please submit your CV to Robertson Bell, Pancreatic Cancer UK’s exclusive recruitment partner.

There when it matters

Sue Ryder have an exciting opportunity at Sue Ryder to join the dedicated legal team as our fully qualified Senior Solicitor.

This role will provide expert legal advice across the charity on commercial, property, employment and contract matters, whilst ensuring compliance with regulations and data compliance and managing legal risk.
The successful appointment will evidence strong commercial experience alongside a general knowledge of other areas of law. External legal advisors will be consulted for matters of a more complex and specialist legal nature.
Working in Colchester this is a Hybrid position with 2 days in the office and 3 days working from home with flexibility around ad hoc meetings as required.

About the role:

• Providing advice on broad legal issues, including public law, commercial law, intellectual property, and charity-specific regulations to support organisational strategy
• Identifying, assessing, and managing legal and regulatory risks for the charity and managing the Legal Risk Registers
• Ensuring the organization complies with its statutory and regulatory framework.
• Liaising with external legal advisors on matters of a more complex and specialist legal nature.
• Overseeing property transactions, leases, and drafting of commercial contracts.
• Advising on employment contracts, workplace policies, and handling any related disputes.
• Protecting the charity's intellectual property, such as trademarks and copyrights.
• use initiative to analyse legal challenges, identify solutions, and make informed decisions in complex and ambiguous situations.
• High degree of analysis, problem-solving, and initiative.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, legal team members, and external partners to develop strategies, set priorities, and achieve legal objectives aligned with the charity's mission and goals.
• Participating in committees/project groups.

About you:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex legal issues
• Committed to continuous professional development and staying abreast of evolving legal trends, regulatory changes, and industry best practices to inform decision-making and drive charity success.
• Strong proficiency in navigating relevant legislation impacting retail within a charitable context.
• Good understanding of property law. Commercially astute and pragmatic with the ability to focus on charities needs to provide practical and robust advice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders and convey legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Demonstratable ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing circumstances in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstratable expertise in legacy management, with a proven track record of managing estate administration, legacy gifts, and charitable bequests in accordance with legal requirements and best practices.
• A general understanding of legacy management, and estate administration, legacy gifts, and charitable bequests in accordance with legal requirements and best practices.

Minimum Essential criteria:

• Qualified solicitor with experience in charity law, probate law, property law, conveyancing, employment law and tribunals, contract law, and data protection legislation.
• Data Protection Certifications such as CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT or their equivalents from other certification bodies.

Desirable criteria:

Sue Ryder is here to make sure everyone approaching the end of their life or living with grief can access the support they need. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need, but with our support, no one has to face dying or grief alone.

We reserve the right to close this advert prior to the closing date should we feel we have a sufficient number of suitable applications.

Benefits

• Company pension scheme
• 27 days holiday - rising to 33 with length of service plus bank holidays
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Employee Networks - LGBTQ+, Ethnic Diversity and Equality, People with Disabilities, and Women and Non Binary Individuals
• Staff discount of 10% on new goods online at shop
• Structured induction programme and learning and development opportunities.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds to help us to provide the best possible experience for the people who use our services and continue to make Sue Ryder a great place to work, and attract and recruit the best, most diverse workforce possible.
We are particularly interested in increasing applications from the global majority, LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities as they are currently underrepresented in our organisation.

Please let us know if you have any feedback to make our recruitment processes more accessible and inclusive or if you require any adjustments made to your application or interview process

If you want more than just a job, we want you.
Join the team and be there when it matters.

Research Coordinator

Location: London. Hybrid

Hours: Full time/ 35 hours per week

Contract type: Fixed term – 6 months

Salary: £27,000 - £30,000 per annum

Annual leave: 25 days per year + bank holidays

Tommy’s Research Team is small but has a big impact on the delivery of the charity’s strategic ambitions. We need a highly organised and proactive individual to support the administrative functions of our team.

The Research Coordinator will pay a key role in ensuring the smooth running of our research funding activities, through maintaining accurate records, coordinating meetings and communications, supporting the expert peer review process, and assisting with governance and reporting requirements. The post holder will have strong organisational, time management and interpersonal skills, and confidence in managing multiple priorities and multi-tasking.

If you have experience providing administrative support in a fast-paced professional environment and would like to play a key role in the funding of groundbreaking research in the field of pregnancy and maternal health, apply now.

Candidates should apply via Charity Job and include a CV and cover letter (max 2 sides) explaining your motivations for applying to the role and skills that you would bring to it.

Closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 7th December and interviews will be held online w/c 15 December.

Community Fundraiser - London​

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within London.​

Key Responsibilities: ​​​

• Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​​

Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

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If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.​​

​For this role, the successful candidate must live in the London area.​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

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We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 28th November 2025

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We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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Community Fundraiser - Home Counties

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Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex. 

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Key Responsibilities: ​

• ​Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​

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Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

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If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.

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​We will give preference to those candidates living in the Bucks, Beds and Northants areas of this region.​​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 14th December 2025

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We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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