Children and families jobs in edinburgh

Research Associate - National Youth Agency

Contract: 12-month Fixed Term Contract (with potential to extend)
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week 
Salary: £30,000 – £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Remote: This role is 100% homebased with occasional travel for staff residentials and other events.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Knowledge Team, working alongside two existing Research Associates and a Data Analyst. 

You will be integral in delivering research, data, and insights that support organisational development and programme delivery across NYA.

We are looking for an experienced mixed-methods researcher with a strong understanding of social research and evaluation approaches. Ideally, you will have experience working in or alongside the youth sector and be confident using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

You’ll need to be flexible, proactive, and a strong communicator, able to explain complex ideas to varied audiences. 

This role is ideal for someone looking to make a tangible difference through evidence-led approaches that shape policy, practice, and impact in youth work.

Key responsibilities for this role will include:

• Designing and delivering research projects using a range of methods including surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
• Supporting the development of the NYA research and data hub, including external research collation and data visualisation.
• Leading on evaluations to meet funder requirements and contribute to NYA’s growing evidence base.
• Analysing data from NYA programmes to support impact measurement.
• Promoting evidence-based practice across NYA and the wider youth sector.
• Communicating findings clearly through reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Managing research projects and collaborating with internal and external partners to deliver on time and to quality.
• Responding to internal and external research enquiries.

The ideal candidate will have experience in social research, familiarity with various research methodologies, and the ability to communicate complex findings to diverse audiences. 

Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.

Why Work for NYA?

NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.

NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.

A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.

NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.

We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

How to Apply:

Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements

To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Monday 12th May 2025:

A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section. 

A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the

About You section. 

We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.

Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer. 

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission. 

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Youth Work changes lives

Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it. As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power.  We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.

We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.

REF-221126

Location: Home based

Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2026 – Full time 35hrs per week

Salary: £27,250 gross per annum

Closing Date: 26th May 2025

Interview: Interviews to be held 5th June 2025

Are you looking for a new opportunity?

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a vibrant and growing charity delivering life changing nautical adventure for young people through the Sea Cadets to give them the best possible head start in life. We also provide personal and professional development opportunities for seafarers with the Marine Society. Working with our staff, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a vision and five-year strategy to take us forward and further improve the astounding contribution already made through our work to the lives of thousands of young people and seafarers, while fully supporting our volunteers who are vital to our success.

We are currently looking for a Growth and Development Worker based in England to join our team. This is an externally funded post which will be focused on opening new provision and supporting existing provision in order to reduce waiting lists within specific funding areas. This is a very varied and rewarding role that requires someone who is self-motivated, organised, creative, tenacious, positive, IT competent and with a real interest in people. You need to be able to coach, empower and inspire our volunteers and cadets, both in person and remotely, to grow the Sea Cadets.

Responsibilities

• Delivering a variety of training sessions on, for example, recruitment of cadets and volunteers
• Developing new growth and recruitment tools and ideas
• Promoting flexible volunteering and the volunteer strategy
• Assisting with running our social media accounts
• Working with and empowering our volunteers to develop plans for growth
• Planning and setting up Juniors Sections in new and existing locations/units
• Delivering assemblies in schools
• Forming part of various working groups with colleagues to develop the tools, resources and processes needed to increase the positive impact of the Growth and Development team.
• Supporting the delivery of funded outreach projects

Requirements

• Previous experience of working with volunteers
• Experience delivering on multiple project plans simultaneously
• Ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with a variety of stakeholders remotely and face-to-face
• Experience delivering workshops and/or training
• Self-motivated and able to manage your time and workload effectively
• Flexible and enthusiastic
• Able to work as a team player with creative ideas and solutions who will empower our volunteers to make a difference to the lives of even more young people across the UK

For further information, please download the Recruitment Pack attached.

Benefits

• Flexible Working hours and a hybrid culture
• Cycle to work scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Life assurance (4x salary) for those that join the pension
• Private medical insurance
• Pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.
• National staff conference: All employees come together once a year to reflect on the past year and celebrate success at our offsite staff conference. This is a great opportunity to listen to employees' views, and for employees to network, share information and socialise.

If you are interested in this Growth and Development vacancy, please apply now!

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire.

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo a criminal record check.

About Symphony Collective

Symphony Collective, a proud member of the Oasis Trust family, is dedicated to using the Arts, Academics, and Advocacy as tools to help people find and thrive in their purpose. We strive to uplift marginalized voices, particularly those from Black and Brown communities—who often find themselves underrepresented.

At the heart of our operations is Symphony Studios, the UK headquarters of Symphony Collective, envisioned as an “airport for dreams.” Launching in October 2025, Symphony Studios will offer a vibrant environment through:

 •  Academics: Providing  free music and core subject GCSE , mentoring, and a comprehensive study library to level the educational playing field and empower learners to achieve their academic goals.

 •  Arts: Featuring state-of-the-art music production studios, rehearsal spaces, and media creation facilities, we nurture creativity and cultural expression, enabling artists to develop and showcase their talents.

 •  Advocacy: Hosting impactful events such as our flagship Festival of Hope and leading campaigns focused on faith, justice, gender, mental health, and inclusion, we champion important social causes and foster meaningful change.

In all, we build platforms and create spaces that help you, you and I, you and us—to become.

> Role Overview

The Festivals & Events Producer curates and executes a range of Symphony experiences—from intimate worship nights to large-scale gatherings like “Tribe: Festival of Hope.” You’ll balance creative vision with logistical precision to produce memorable events that highlight the talents of Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities.

> Key Responsibilities

• Event Curation & Production

• Develop concepts, run-of-show, and themes for festivals, conferences, and special events.

• Manage vendor relationships, scheduling, budgeting, and on-site logistics.

• Creative Collaboration

• Work closely with Symphony Arts, Academy, and Campaign teams to align programming with our mission.

• Ensure each event fosters joyful, inclusive spaces for participants of all abilities.

• Budget & Resource Management

• Monitor production budgets, negotiate contracts, and streamline cost-effectiveness.

• Coordinate staff, volunteers, and freelance crews on event days.

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with artists, speakers, and community partners, maintaining continuous feedback loops.

• Conduct post-event analyses to refine future planning.

Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated track record in event production, ideally within a performing arts or social-impact setting.

• Strong project management skills, comfortable with 3 days/week schedule.

• Ability to create inclusive, accessible experiences for diverse audiences.

the3million is the largest grassroots organisation for EU citizens* in the UK, formed after the 2016 referendum to protect the rights of people who have made the UK their home. 

Our work ranges from organising EU citizens’ communities and informing people about their rights, to holding the Government to account on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and advocating for social justice.

We are now looking for a Research and Policy Manager to lead on evidence-based research and support in the analysis of government policy and legislation which impacts EU citizens in the UK. 

We are looking for a creative problem solver who is detail orientated and approaches research through an investigative lens. 

This work often intersects with the wider issues of social justice, migrant rights, race equality, and data rights. 

You will work closely with the Head of Policy and Advocacy to direct strategic research initiatives, presenting recommendations to influence decision-makers and guide advocacy efforts, ensuring the3million’s campaigns are informed and led by robust evidence of EU citizens’ lived experience. 

*the3million uses ‘EU citizens’ as shorthand for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, and their family members (of any nationality) with derived rights.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

1. Strategic research and issue analysis

You will lead on the3million’s research, working closely with the Head of Policy and Advocacy to ensure our work is shaped by lived experience, analysing issues experienced by EU citizens related to applying for immigration status, proving their rights and accessing services in the UK. 

• Collect, analyse and categorise issues raised by EU citizens through the3million’s reporting channels, including highlighting correlations to equality characteristics such as race and ethnicity, age, gender etc (including our ReportIt! system, email, social media and listening campaigns). 
• Interview EU citizens who report issues, sharing information about rights, signposting to relevant legal advice organisations.
• Identify trends in the challenges faced by EU citizens, documenting these in detail, analysing systemic issues.
• Provide strategic guidance on how research findings can inform the3million’s advocacy, campaigns and communications activities.

2. Policy development and advocacy

• Contribute to the production of high-quality policy briefings, reports and strategic recommendations that are clear, actionable and directly relevant to stakeholders including the Government.
• Support in the research and analysis of government policy developments, legislative changes and public consultations affecting EU citizens in the UK, specifically on areas related to immigration and welfare, assessing their potential impact.

3. Report writing and presentation 

• Lead on the development of in-depth reports and support in the production of policy papers and position statements, presenting complex data into clear and accessible documents.
• Present research findings and policy recommendations at meetings and events, effectively communicating complex issues to audiences. 
• Contribute to the production of advocacy materials, including media briefings, campaigns’ resources and informational content for the3million’s website, social media channels and for event distribution.

4. Stakeholder engagement 

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including civil society organisations and other advocacy groups.
• Collaborate with other team members within the organisation to ensure research and policy recommendations are effectively integrated into the3million’s community organising activities, campaigns and strategic communications.

5. Monitoring and evaluation 

• Report on the progress and outcomes of research and policy activities regularly, within the organisation and to the3million’s funders. 

6. General responsibilities 

• Represent the views of the3million in the media, when appropriate.
• Provide assistance in other areas of the3million’s work as and when deemed necessary by the CEO.

Person specification 

Knowledge and experience:

• Experience (2+ years) working within research or investigative settings 
• Proven track record in producing research reports and presenting research findings

Skills: 

• Expertise in investigative research and analysis, including the ability to summarise complex information and communicate it effectively to different audiences
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce high quality reports and other written materials
• Strong presentation skills
• Ability to build rapport with research participants through individual or group interviews
• Proficient in using spreadsheets for data analysis
• Awareness of research ethics and data protection

Personal attributes: 

• A deep commitment to migrants’ rights and a passion for social justice
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, external partners, and community groups

Desirable 

• Experience working on immigration policy, human rights, or social justice
• Experience of obtaining information through Freedom of Information requests 
• Experience of building research tools and developing creative methods and techniques of research
• Knowledge of the Citizens’ Rights Part Two of the Withdrawal Agreement, its current implementation in the UK, and the EU Settlement Scheme

Before you apply

One of the3million’s core values is equity - we are people led, we value diversity and are enriched by differences. We strive to listen to, engage with and represent the broadest range of people. 

We recognise our team is not currently representative of communities that experience racism and that our own ways of working may replicate wider societal oppression and injustices. We are actively working towards becoming an anti-oppressive organisation, including taking steps to create a more inclusive recruitment process.

You may not have worked in an organisation whose focus is campaigning for migrants’ rights. Or you may have experience in a grassroots setting which is not formalised. Please still consider applying as many other settings offer transferable skills.

If you are from a background that is underrepresented in the migration sector - for example you are from a community that experiences racism, or you have lived experience of migration, or you are a disabled person, or you did not go to University or had free school meals as a child - we strongly encourage you to apply.

We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity. the3million welcomes the whole person to work, and we understand that each of us brings our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique lens to what we do.

Working conditions

Position: Full time 
Duration: Initial 12 months contract, with possibility of extension, subject to funding
Salary: £38,419 per year
Location: Remote, must be UK based. Travel may be required (all travel expenses covered)
Benefits: 28 days holiday + bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, flexible working patterns.
Reporting to: Head of Policy and Advocacy
Preferred start date: 7th July 2025
Interviews will be held on 28th, 29th and 30th May.

The Philanthropy and Major Giving team is responsible for an annual budget of around £3.5m with an ambition to grow this to £5m by the end of our current strategic period in 2026. In 2021, the team doubled their income after the passing of HRH the late Duke of Edinburgh provided a significant opportunity to raise awareness and the profile of the charity. 

The Philanthropy and Major Giving team looks after a variety of relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family trusts and foundations, many of whom are long-term supporters of the charity committed to supporting young people to fulfil their potential. The team is proactive when it comes to new business, seeking opportunities from our current networks and events. We collaborate with multiple internal stakeholders including our CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Trustees, Strategy & Engagement and Operations teams. 

You will be joining a successful and ambitious team at a pivotal moment for the charity as we prepare to celebrate our 70th Anniversary in 2026 and launch a new five-year strategy.

The successful candidate will play an active and integral role in the Philanthropy team, feeding into team plans and working collaboratively to reach new donors and increase income raised.

We are looking for someone who is ambitious with the drive and tenacity to engage new high-level donors, as well as develop existing relationships with our network of generous and long-standing supporters.

• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrable success in fundraising, networking and relationship building, which has led to significant financial support.
• Can demonstrate a proven experience in generating new business of six figures and above, including multi-year gifts, and managing and growing a diverse portfolio.

We offer excellent staff benefits including a generous pension contribution, flexible working, Heath care cash plan, life assurance, attractive holiday package, ongoing training, and an employee assistance programme.

If you feel excited by this role and believe you have the necessary skills and experience to become a valued team member, please go to our website and apply.

The deadline for applying for this role is: Sunday 18th May– Midnight

1st  interviews will take place on: 2nd Juneheld via Teams

2nd interviews will take place on: 5th & 6th June – in person at the London office.

We kindly ask that previous unsuccessful applicants do not submit another application. 

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if you would like any assistance that might help improve your experience

The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.

**The geographical allowance is based on a member of staff having a home or office-based postcode within 30 miles (as the crow flies) from Charing Cross, WC2N 5HS. The allowance is 7% capped at £4,000 per annum.

Job Description

Job Title: Training and Development Officer

Location: Home-based, covering the South

Salary: £26,000 (pro-rata), you’d get £15,600 (gross)

Hours: 29.6 hours to be worked flexibly over 4 days

Contract: fixed-term to end of March 2028, Term Time Only

About us:

Learning through Landscapes is the UK’s leading school grounds charity, dedicated to enhancing outdoor learning and play for all. Our vision is a society where the benefits of regular time outdoors are valued and appreciated, and outdoor learning, play and connection with nature is recognised as a fundamental part of education, at every stage, for every child and young person.

We have unrivalled expertise based on three decades of experience, practical action and research. With offices in England and Scotland and staff based across the UK, our team and our accredited network of outdoor learning experts have the capacity to work nationally and internationally. Click HERE for more information.

What you’ll be doing:

As a Training and Development Officer, you will be working directly with teachers and other education staff supporting their journeys in taking curriculum learning and play outside and to utilise their school grounds. You will deliver LtL’s training and projects within diverse communities across a significant geographical area. This role is part of our exciting new climate change education initiative. It is essential that you are able and willing to travel the Southwest and throughout the UK, including overnight. For more details of the role see the Key Responsibilities document.

What you’ll need:

· Experience of delivering projects with diverse communities

· Experience of training and advising educational staff in primary or secondary schools.

· Experience of delivering outdoor nature-based and curriculum linked learning activities

· A passion for nature

· Experience of producing written materials; educational resources, reports, and similar project related communications

· Competent IT skills (particularly Microsoft Office, Teams and Outlook)

· Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage and deliver a varied workload

· Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to find creative solutions

· Good interpersonal skills

· An understanding of the role safeguarding plays in education

· Ability to work from home or suitable office-type venue

If you don’t have all of the above but feel it could be the role for you, talk to us!

What we offer:

· Flexible working

· Holiday, 28 days + bank holidays + a “birthday gift” day

· Laptop, phone and all travel & subsistence expenses

· Family & carer friendly policies

· Annual training package including: LtL Professional Accreditation in Outdoor Learning and Play, LtL Climate School 180 Network Training package

· Sick pay

· Pension scheme – 5% employer contribution

· Subsidised Christmas meal

· A supportive and welcoming team of colleagues, including our 20+ Delivery Team members.

We’re an equal opportunities employer. All suitable applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We are actively seeking to increase diversity within our workforce and are committed to recruiting the best people on the objective basis of their skills, ability and experience. We offer a guaranteed interview to eligible applicants who choose to opt-in to the scheme and can demonstrate that they have at least 6 out of the 11 from the “what you need” list. To be eligible to apply via the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, you must be from an ethnic minority. Please state clearly in your covering letter if you are applying under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

We are happy to support with any reasonable adjustments that are needed within the recruitment process.

If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact the HR Manager, Sarah Knott - see website for contact details.

To apply: Please send the following by email to our recruitment email - see website

· Your CV

· A covering letter explaining in no more than one side of A4, your interest in the role and the skills and knowledge you have that make you an ideal candidate

· Contact details (including email address and phone number) of two referees, one of whom should be your most recent employer.

The recruitment process:

The deadline for applications is 9 am on Monday 12h May 2025.

If you have not heard from us by 5 pm on Tuesday 13th May 2025, you have not been shortlisted.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview (either via TEAMS or at a venue in the South - TBC) on Tuesday 20th May 2025.

Candidates will be informed of the outcome of the interviews by Thursday 22nd May 2025.