Evidence lead jobs

Are you passionate about helping young people build brighter futures?

Join Young Enterprise to shape the future of thousands of young people. As our Alumni Community Manager, you’ll build a vibrant, inclusive network where young voices lead, inspire, and drive real impact.

Who We Are

We’re Young Enterprise – a national charity with a bold mission: to give every young person the skills, confidence, and mindset to thrive in the changing world of work.

For over 60 years, we’ve empowered more than 7 million young people through hands-on enterprise and financial education programmes. Whether it’s launching a student business or learning how to manage money, we help young people develop key life skills like teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and resilience.

We’re a passionate, down-to-earth team of 90+ staff and 2,000+ volunteers who believe that every young person, regardless of background, deserves a fair start in life.

Why Join Us?

We think Young Enterprise is a great place to work—and we’re proud of our people-first culture. Here’s what you can expect:

• A friendly and supportive team where your voice is heard
• A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion—we want everyone to feel they belong
• Generous holiday allowance and flexible working
• Cycle-to-work scheme, life assurance, and NHS top-up plan
• Ongoing learning and mentoring opportunities
• A chance to directly impact the lives of young people every single day

About the Role

This is a role where you’ll really see the difference you make. As Alumni Community Manager, you’ll:

• Build a vibrant, inclusive network that keeps young people connected long after their YE experience
• Create pathways for alumni to grow, give back, and make an impact
• Champion Youth Voice, co-design opportunities with young people, and lead initiatives that inspire, engage, and energise the community
• Work across teams and with external partners to turn strategy into action and help shape the next generation

This is a varied, people-focused role with plenty of room for creativity, independence, and collaboration.

You’ll love this job if you are…

• passionate about shaping futures: Helping young people thrive and seeing real impact
• a champion of youth voice: Putting young people at the heart of decisions and strategy
• love building communities: Creating a vibrant, inclusive alumni network
• collaborative and driven: Working across teams and partners to make big ideas happen.
• a natural communicator: Representing YE, celebrating alumni, and elevating young voices nationally and globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Alumni Community: Build a network that connects, inspires, and supports alumni at every stage.
• Champion Youth Voice: Give young people a real say in shaping programmes, strategy, and decisions.
• Build partnerships & represent YE: Collaborate with external organisations and showcase alumni achievements
• Drive engagement: Create mentoring, volunteering, and recognition opportunities
• Collaborate across teams: Work with colleagues to deliver a seamless, high-impact alumni experience
• Turn strategy into action: Translate the Alumni and Youth Voice Strategy into practical plans with clear milestones
• Celebrate impact and share insights: Showcase alumni stories, track outcomes, and provide insights to inform decision-making.

A few practical things

· This is a hybrid role, requiring you to work from a YE office (London or Oxford) at least 8 times per month

Keeping Young People Safe

At Young Enterprise, safeguarding is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will receive ongoing safeguarding training throughout their employment and be expected to uphold excellent safeguarding practice at all times.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to help shape the futures of young people, we want to hear from you!

Please send your CV and instead of a traditional cover letter, please send us a separate document answering the three questions below, up to 250 words per answer. Please note, applications without answers to the three questions will not be considered. Interviews will be held via Teams.  Applications must be received by 23:30 on 14 January 2026.  First round interviews earmarked for 22 January 2026.

1. Skills and Experience

Tell us about the skills and experience you would bring to this role. You may wish to include examples of community engagement, working with young people, partnership working, or project delivery.

2. Youth Voice and Co-design
Give an example of how you involved young people or other stakeholders in shaping a programme, project, or service. How did you ensure their ideas influenced decisions, and what difference did it make?

3. Collaboration
Describe a time when you worked with multiple colleagues, teams or partners to deliver a project or initiative. How did you build relationships, navigate challenges, and achieve meaningful results?

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While these can be a helpful resource, we want to hear about your personal skills, experiences and insights that highlight your unique strengths and perspective in your own words.

Full details can be found in the Job Description.

At YE we are passionate and committed to keeping your data safe and secure.  Full details can be found in the YE People’s Privacy Notice.

Join us – and help us give every young person the chance to thrive. Apply today!

About GISF

The Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF) is a member-led NGO network working to strengthen security risk management across the humanitarian, development and human rights sectors. With over 140 member organisations, GISF provides resources, convening spaces, and expertise to help keep aid workers safe.

The NGO security sector is fast-moving and globally connected. This role offers a chance to work at the heart of major sector events, engage with leading NGOs, UN agencies, donors, and private sector partners, and contribute to shaping the future of aid worker safety. Occasional travel provides opportunities to attend conferences, support key forums, and meet members across regions.

About the role

GISF is seeking a highly capable professional with strong project management skills, excellent stakeholder engagement experience, and the ability to work independently at pace.

The post-holder will play a pivotal role in delivering GISF’s sector-leading events, ensuring a healthy and active membership network, and driving engagement with the commercial sector. As an outward-facing role with broad engagement responsibilities, we are looking for a confident communicator, a natural relationship-builder, and someone with an organised approach to managing multiple priorities.

Key responsibilities

Member & External Engagement

• Project manage GISF’s annual member forum, ensuring coordination of all contributing staff, guest speakers, contractors, and suppliers.
• Oversee the delivery of GISF’s flagship conference convening NGOs, UN agencies, donors and private sector partners.
• Lead the delivery of additional engagements, including GISF’s programme at the Humanitarian Networks and Partnership Week annually in Geneva, high-level roundtables with donors and states, webinars, and more.
• Represent GISF at sector events with professionalism.
• Contribute to GISF’s influencing work and policy level engagements, working closely with the Head of Policy and Engagement on advocacy efforts, policy messaging, and strategic outreach.

Membership administration

• Proactive scoping of new members and engage with interested prospective members on application process.
• Manage the full membership application pipeline, including due diligence and coordination with the GISF Steering Group to approve new members.
• Working closely with the Communications & Engagement Officer to onboard new members, ensuring they are set up across all relevant systems.
• Track, update, and report on member engagement using Salesforce.

Commercial engagement

• Lead on immediate sponsorship efforts for the 2026 Global Conference, including identifying prospective sponsors, developing tailored sponsorship materials, coordinating follow-up, and ensuring sponsor visibility requirements are integrated into conference planning.
• Support GISF’s wider commercial partnership programme by identifying and nurturing new leads through structured outreach and consistent relationship management.
• Coordinate closely with the Executive Director on sponsor meetings and pitches.
• Maintain accurate tracking of leads and progress on Salesforce.
• Document lessons learned, refine outreach processes, and contribute to the development of a partnership strategy and workflow.

Please refer to the attached document for the full person description.

What we offer

• 25 days of annual leave increasing annually after 2 years, up to a maximum 30 days (plus bank holidays)
• Office shutdown between Christmas and New Year
• Employer Pension contributions
• A focus on professional development, including access to overseas events, workshops, and training

How to apply

Application is by submission of a CV and cover letter, contact details can be found in the attached document.

The cover letter should be no more than two pages, and explain why you are interested in this post with GISF and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Closing date: 22 December 2025 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Interviews: Week of 5th January 2026 onwards

This post is UK-based. Candidates will need to show evidence of their eligibility to work in the UK. Further information will be provided when an offer of employment is made.

Main purpose of post

• Provide direct support to people affected by cancer by meeting in person with or providing digital or telephone support to people using the service (patients/clients, carers, relatives, professionals).

• Provide high quality information and support within defined level of competence in relation to cancer.  This will include assessment of service users’ information and support needs (Holistic Needs Assessment/Cancer Care Review), provision of written or verbal information, supportive listening and action planning to facilitate self-management. 

• Manage referrals from clinical teams in a timely manner, liaising with clinical teams, primary care teams and community partners where necessary.

• Provide care coordination around the individual to ensure their experience of support feels seamless and is transparent, including support from partner agencies.

What you do

Delivery of information and support to people living with and beyond cancer and their families

• Provide information and support within level of competence of the post (Macmillan Levels of Intervention Criteria L1,2,3,4; NICE approved four tier model of psychological support Level 1, 2 & 3).

• This will include:

• Assess the needs of individuals attending / contacting the service and identify the required level of intervention.

• Support users sensitively to help them understand clinical information they have been given (e.g. around diagnosis, treatment, effects of the illness and treatment, cancer terminology), helping to resolve situations where users feel they have been given conflicting information. This will include addressing concerns and queries and working to resolve them and the ability to recognise and work within the limits of own competence and responsibility is crucial, referring issues beyond these limits to relevant people. 

• Understand that there will be frequent exposure to distressing/ highly distressing situations and deal with difficult and highly emotive situations in a sensitive manner and base decisions on own professional judgement.

• Deal with service users with complex enquiries or support needs, or who need help in accessing or understanding information, referring to appropriate members of the wider clinical team (CNS, oncologist) when appropriate or signpost them to other supportive services.

• Liaise with clinical staff to support patients and carers in distress.

• Demonstrate a high level of skill acquired through relevant training or equivalent experience whilst demonstrating awareness of the limits of own practice and knowledge and when to seek appropriate support/ advice.

• Provide supporting information around topics such as reducing the risk of cancer, healthy living, diagnosis, treatment options, side effects and living with cancer, in the most appropriate format (e.g. written, verbal, and others as appropriate to overcome any barriers to communication).

• Provide advice on a range of issues e.g. benefits, travel insurance, and facilitate access to services e.g. specialist benefits advice, complementary therapy.

• Liaise with relevant staff at all levels as appropriate both within the charity and externally to address issues identified, and seek advice with more complex issues, directly involving others where necessary, e.g. Clinical Lead (HCP), Cancer Information and Support Advisors, Head of Cancer Support Services; Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). 

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of effective relationships with partner organisations in primary and secondary and the voluntary the sector via networking, also giving talks and presenting at relevant groups. 

• Plan and deliver ‘pop-up’ information clinics, ensuring these pop-up clinics are evaluated.

• Lead the development and delivery of courses and workshops.

• Lead peer support groups and service-user involvement.

Operational Delivery

• Collect and collate data regarding contacts with people who use the service both in person and by telephone and produce reports of activity as required.

• Plan and organise events and displays externally liaising with departments and agencies as required.

• Lead discrete projects or service improvements under direction of the Head of Cancer Support Services

• Work flexibly to deliver the objectives of the cancer support service, including attending events and outreach sessions across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Bassetlaw.

• Ensure service user participation in development of the service, including facilitating forums and meetings.

• Facilitate open and effective communication with multi-professional teams, both internally and externally.

• Maintain systems and processes to promote a healthy, safe and secure working environment and maintain accurate documentation and report any concerns.

• Act as a role model by demonstrating expertise and maintaining credibility, ensuring a positive image of Weston Park Cancer Charity is maintained.

Purpose of the job

This role is responsible for the design of UK Youth’s support to young people, youth organisations and youth workers. This could include structured youth work programmes, funding and grants+ programmes, professional development programmes, and campaigns.

You will lead and oversee end-to-end design processes, ensuring that UK Youth develops fully packaged offers that respond to the evidence base and people’s needs, drive forward our strategy and achieve incredible impact. You will work across UK Youth teams, with external design partners, and meaningfully involving young people and the professionals who support them in the design process.

You will be experienced in developing high quality funding propositions (proactively and in response to new business opportunities). You will be confident in taking a human-centred design approach to tackle some of the youth sector’s knottiest problems.  You will design solutions to important problems, ensuring that they are feasible, equitable, impactful and scalable.

In 2026, our priority topics for youth work programmes and network development are: mental health and wellbeing, employability, social cohesion and community safety.

 As a leader, you will work closely with research, evaluation, policy, service delivery, network development, and fundraising teams. You will help to improve the skills and confidence of colleagues across UK Youth to apply design methods in their own work and collaborate effectively with the Design team.

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth wants all young people to be equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. Youth work can be life changing (and even life saving.) In 2026, we will be launching our new strategy, positioning UK Youth to unlock youth work so that every young person in the UK can benefit. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed, and delivers high-quality outcomes.

 UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference, and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people. Come and be part of this change in a driven and supportive team that puts evidence at the heart of our work.

Role Responsibilities

• Designing Solutions

• Developing new business and funding propositions

• Embedding Human Centred Design

• Building a strong external network to support the Design team’s work

• Operations

Experience we're after

• Significant experience of leading and overseeing the development of new business propositions and proposals to time-limited funding opportunities

• Significant experience of designing interventions (digital and/or physical) for young people and/or those who support them 

• Experience using human-centred-design methods and mindsets; managing projects across the end-to-end design process

• Proven track record of inspiring and motivating diverse teams and improving collaborative ways of working across teams and departments

• Experience of developing high quality programme content and curricula for young people, youth workers and/or outdoor learning instructors (desirable)

• Experience of commissioning and managing external design freelancers and consultants (desirable)

• Experience of designing and/or delivering professional development programmes (desirable)

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Sunday 4th January 2026 at 23:59pm

Provisional Interview Dates: 12th and 13th January 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

36 hours per week / £36,530 per annum pro rata / permanent / working two days onsite and three days from home, working pattern to be discussed at interview

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

Brighton & Hove Wellbeing service is delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with YMCA DownsLink Group. We offer a variety of support including counselling and psychological therapies to children and young people within Brighton and Hove.

We are looking for a compassionate and experienced Wellbeing Children & Young People's (CYP) Lead to support and shape our therapeutic services for young people in Brighton and Hove.

Overview of key areas of responsibility:

Leadership

• Provide line management support and supervision to wellbeing workers (e.g. counsellors, practitioners, therapists, link workers and trainees).
• Work alongside a team of leads to support the running, development and management of the service.
• Lead induction, mentoring, and training of new staff, trainees, and volunteers.
• Foster a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement across the team.

Core Clinical

• Carry out individual counselling assessments of children and young people and make appropriate referrals.
• Provide guidance and oversight for complex or high-risk cases.
• Ensure all interventions are evidence-based, child-centred, and trauma-informed.
• Develop and oversee counselling protocols, therapeutic pathways, and risk assessment frameworks.

Safeguarding and Risk

• Lead and give oversight for safeguarding concerns, embedding a safeguarding-first culture across the service.
• Work to ensure all counsellors, staff, and volunteers are trained, confident, and compliant in safeguarding practice.
• Implement robust risk assessment and management processes.
• Monitor safeguarding incidents, identify themes, and strengthen safeguarding practice.
• Liaise with schools, health, social care, police, and other agencies in safeguarding matters.

Service Development

• Work with the Service Manager, Leads and Clinical Leads to strengthen and expand counselling provision, including group work.
• Triage referrals and represent the service in multi-agency triage meetings.
• Promote and develop opportunities for community participation and youth voice in service design.
• Build strong relationships with schools, health services, local authorities, commissioners, and community partners.
• Represent the service at local and regional forums, influencing CYP wellbeing strategies.

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• More than 2 years post-qualified at graduate or post graduate level Counselling Diploma or equivalent [of two years minimum duration including personal counselling or psychotherapy].
• BACP Registration or Accreditation and/or eligible for other Professional Accreditation e.g. UKCP/HPC.
• Strong team-management and line-management experience is required, including demonstrated experience in supervising, developing, and supporting staff.
• An in depth understanding of counselling theory and practice and working to short-term models.
• A sound understanding of child developmental processes, Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding issues and procedures, along with proven experience in safeguarding young children.
• Solid experience in delivering counselling and assessment, along with experience with high-risk/complex cases.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working, with the ability to work within time-limited frameworks.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 11 January 2026 at midnight. Proposed interview date Thursday 15 January.

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.

The Head of Policy and Advocacy will lead the strategic development and delivery of MCF’s policy, advocacy and research agenda.Join the UK’s leading network for Muslim-led charities, strengthening the capacity, voice and impact of nearly 300 organisations.

Job role: Head of Policy and Advocacy

Employer: Muslim Charities Forum

Salary:£42,000 – 45,000 per annum

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (4 days office-based, 1 day hybrid/remote)

Position: Fixed Term Contract, 3 years.

Location: London SE1.Nearest stations Waterloo, Lambeth North

Closing date for applications:16th December 2025, 5.00pm or until a suitable candidate is identified.

About Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) 

Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) is the UK’s leading network for Muslim-led charities, strengthening the capacity, voice and impact of nearly 300 organisations. Guided by our pillars of Support, Connect and Represent, we champion excellence, transparency and social justice through resources, capacity-building, research and advocacy. 

We work to tackle structural and funding barriers, influence government, policymakers and the wider sector, and build a more sustainable, equitable Muslim-led charitable landscape. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, we drive systemic change and amplify the contributions of Muslim-led organisations across society. 

Role Purpose 

The Head of Policy and Advocacy will lead the strategic development and delivery of MCF’s policy, advocacy and research agenda. The role involves shaping long-term strategy, building a robust evidence base, influencing government and policymakers, and representing MCF at senior levels across the charity, public and political sectors. 

The postholder will engage proactively with central and local government, devolved authorities, and regional mayors, ensuring that the voices and experiences of Muslim-led organisations are represented in policy development and decision-making. 

They will work collaboratively with MCF’s Communications, Partnerships, and Systemic Change and Sector Capacity teams to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach that delivers sustainable, long-term impact. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Strategy and Leadership 

• Develop and deliver the next three-year Policy and Advocacy Strategy aligned with MCF’s organisational objectives. 

• Provide strategic advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board on policy opportunities and risks. 

• Lead and develop the Policy and Advocacy team, fostering a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative culture. 

2. Policy, Research and Insight 

• Monitor and analyse UK policy and regulatory developments affecting Muslim-led civil society. 

• Oversee research, consultations and data-driven insight to inform MCF’s policy positions. 

• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, consultation responses and position statements. 

3. Influencing and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Lead MCF’s engagement with central government, local authorities, devolved administrations and regional mayors, as well as regulators and sector networks. 

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, think tanks and sector leaders. 

• Coordinate MCF’s public affairs activity, including roundtables, Select Committee and APPG engagement, and representation at high-level external forums. 

• Strengthen MCF’s profile as a credible and influential voice for Muslim-led civil society across all tiers of government and the voluntary sector. 

4. Sector Capacity and Member Support 

• Engage MCF’s members and Muslim-led organisations in collective policy development and advocacy. 

• Design and deliver tools, training and resources to build members’ influencing capacity. 

• Identify and advocate for structural solutions to sector-wide challenges, including funding inequality, regulatory barriers and intersectional disadvantage. 

5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting 

• Develop and implement frameworks to assess the effectiveness and impact of MCF’s policy and advocacy work. 

• Provide regular progress reports to the CEO. 

• Ensure compliance with charity law, lobbying and regulatory requirements. 

Person Specification 

Essential Criteria 

• Significant experience (5+ years) in senior policy, advocacy or influencing roles within the UK charity or voluntary sector. 

• Demonstrable success influencing government at national, local or devolved levels, achieving measurable policy or funding change. 

• Strong understanding of the UK charity policy, funding and regulatory environment. 

• Knowledge of the UK Muslim-led and/or faith-based civil society landscape. 

• Experience amplifying marginalised voices and embedding lived experience into policy and advocacy work. 

• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver organisational strategy. 

• Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills, with strong political acumen. 

• Commitment to social justice, equity and strengthening Muslim-led civil society. 

Desirable Criteria 

• Experience working with Muslim-led, faith-based or minority-led organisations. 

• Understanding of intersectionality and its impact on underrepresented communities. 

• Experience of research collaboration with academic institutions or think tanks. 

• Proven track record in building partnerships for policy or advocacy initiatives. 

Values and Behaviours 

• Strategic and forward-thinking leadership. 

• Collaborative and inclusive approach to diverse stakeholders. 

• Resilience and adaptability in complex, fast-changing environments. 

• Integrity and credibility in representing MCF and the wider sector. 

• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

• Excellent communication skills, particularly in amplifying underrepresented voices. 

Additional Information 

This is a senior leadership position. Occasional evening or parliamentary activities may be required, along with UK-wide travel. 

What We Offer 

• The opportunity to lead impactful change within one of the UK’s most dynamic faith-based networks. 

• A collaborative, inclusive, and supportive working environment. 

• Opportunities for professional growth, leadership, and innovation. 

Application Information 

To apply, please send a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a covering letter (max 1,000 words) explaining how you meet the essential criteria and your motivation and suitability for the post.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from candidates with lived experience of marginalisation and an understanding of Islamic ethos.  

We reserve the right to withdraw this role once a suitable candidate is identified. 

If you have not heard from us concerning your application within 6 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. 

Interviews: Initial online short interview (stage 1), face-to-face in-office interview (stage 2). 

No agencies.

UK residents only.Sponsorship is not possible for this post. References will be taken up prior to appointment including relevant ID checks. 

Are you a strategic, results-driven fundraiser ready to make a real impact?

Join the Orpheus Centre, a vibrant charity that transforms lives through the performing arts. We’re on an exciting journey, launching a £25m capital appeal to expand our facilities and grow our reach. To achieve this, we need an exceptional Deputy Head of Fundraising to help lead our income generation efforts and drive sustainable growth.

About the role

As Deputy Head of Fundraising, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering innovative fundraising strategies across multiple streams—corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, individual giving, and community fundraising. You’ll oversee donor acquisition and stewardship, inspire your team, and ensure we meet ambitious targets. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence the future of a charity that champions creativity, inclusion, and resilience.

Location: The Orpheus Centre, Surrey
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working considered) / 52 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent

What you’ll do

• Lead revenue fundraising strategies and secure income through personal efforts.
• Manage and develop a talented fundraising team.
• Build strong relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Design compelling campaigns and optimise performance using data insights.
• Deputise for the Head of Income and Growth when required.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in managing multiple fundraising streams and meeting income targets.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of delivering results.
• Knowledge of fundraising compliance and best practices.

Why join us?

• Be part of a passionate team that celebrates creativity and makes a tangible impact on people’s lives.
• Work on a high-profile capital appeal and exciting projects.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace where your ideas matter.
• Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of young disabled people through the power of the arts.

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.

The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for interview.

 As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:

• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration

No agencies please.

Role Summary

Julie’s Bicycle (JB) is seeking a Climate Change & Sustainability Specialist to work across our Creative Green Consultancy Programme and on Partnership Projects and Arts Council England Programme. This is a rare opportunity to join JB’s passionate, expert, and friendly team at our internationally renowned non-profit, working at the intersection of culture and the climate crisis.

Job title: Climate Change & Sustainability Specialist
Contract: Preferably 0.8 FTE (full-time can be considered for the right candidate), 1 year fixed-term contract with the possibility to become permanent
Location: Hybrid working: office base is at Somerset House, London: we are flexible on approach, within a hybrid model of in-person & virtual. This can be discussed at interview (*) 
Salary: £39k to £41k p.a. (pro rata), depending on experience
Reporting to: Creative Green Programme Lead
Start date: ASAP - depending on candidate’s notice period 
Normal hours: Office hours are 9.30 - 5.30pm, Monday – Friday. As this is ideally a 0.8 FTE role, there is flexibility on how the time is spread across the week. Please state how you would intend to allocate your time when you apply. (requests for flexible working hours will be considered)

Other: 

• Annual leave is 25 days per year (pro rata) plus standard bank holidays
• Cultural entitlement of £250 per annum (pro rata) to spend on arts/cultural events & activities
• All employees are able to claim 1 hour a week for personal wellbeing
• Pension scheme enrolment and 6% employer contributions (reviewed annually)

(*) Access to office space in London is always available to staff who can't or don't want to work from home. 

Some travel is involved in this role - to visit organisations and run programme activities.

If you would like this application pack in a different format (e.g. large print or audio file), please email us (information in the link provided). 

About Julie’s Bicycle (JB)

JB is a leading non-profit putting climate action at the heart of culture. We believe that creativity is a powerful catalyst for change—and that the arts and cultural sector has a vital role to play in building a just, regenerative future.

For over 15 years, we’ve worked with artists, cultural institutions, funders, and policymakers to mobilise creative climate leadership through advocacy, research, policy influence, training, and community building. We champion climate justice, centre equity, and believe that environmental solutions must be driven by cultural shifts as well as systems change. For more information, please visit our website.

About Key Programmes

Creative Green and Creative Climate Partnerships

Julie’s Bicycle’s Creative Green and Partnerships programme works with individual organisations and networks through consultancy and partnership. The programme combines sustainability expert advice, networking and peer-to-peer knowledge, supporting a wide variety of organisations in arts and culture to embed environmental sustainability into their value. From developing environmental action plans and training to designing net-zero pathways and sustainable exhibitions, we support organisations in incorporating sustainability into their strategy and governance, understanding their ecological impacts, and developing and monitoring action plans and practices. 

We collaborate to enable practical action for transformational change by working with diverse cultural organisations, including those in visual arts, museums, galleries, and theatre. Our Creative Green team partners with various organisations such as the British Film Institute, British Council Americas, Green Libraries Partnership, Tomas Saraceno Studio, Goethe Institute, Independent Cinema Office, Arts Council Ireland, and numerous European funding programmes. We also work with cultural services both in the UK and internationally across sectors including performance and music. 

JB offers a suite of free cultural sector-specific carbon calculator tools – the Creative Climate Tools - which are recognised as a world-first platform for carbon reporting and environmental monitoring for cultural organisations and businesses, including venues, tours, offices, and outdoor events. 

Our Partnership with Arts Council England 

Julie’s Bicycle is the partner for the Arts Council’s Environmental Programme, supporting organisations to take environmental action and meet their funding requirements and supporting the Arts Council to drive positive environmental change within the sector. The programme focuses on delivering support to organisations in: reporting their impacts and taking action using the Creative Climate Tools; running events, peer sharing sessions, webinars, signposting to and developing resources to deepen understanding around data use, and relevant topics in sustainability; broadening access to climate literacy via e-learning; providing a strand of workshops to provide targeted support for artists, creatives and freelancers, and; to inspire, develop and nurture sector leadership via a number of dedicated programme strands focused on governance, justice, resilience and decarbonisation. The programme is adaptive, and as we move into 2026, there is a significant opportunity to shape the delivery of our Decarbonisation programme in particular, to respond to the needs of the sector.

Our leadership strands include: 

Transforming Energy, our Arts Council England decarbonisation programme. This programme currently has two strands: Buildings Net Zero Energy supports building-based organisations in enhancing their energy management processes, and our Capital Investment Ready programme supports cohorts of advanced organisations in preparing their cultural venues for electrification, with a focus on 2030 decarbonisation goals. 

Additional strands include our Board Environmental Champions program, which helps trustees and board members of National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) and Investment Principles Support Organisations (IPSOs) incorporate environmental responsibility into governance, supported by a champions guide and peer networking sessions. The Leading Resilience programme, an ongoing pilot and mentoring initiative, fosters leadership within the portfolio and sector by enhancing understanding and skills for adapting to climate impacts. The Creative Climate Accelerator is a free training course designed for individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, empowering them to develop skills and confidence to drive change in their communities.

The Role

We are looking for an outstanding individual to join our team as a Climate Change & Sustainability Specialist, to lead and facilitate the management of strands of work on these programmes: 

• Transforming Energy - Arts Council England (30% FTE) 

• Creative Green and Partnership programmes (50% FTE) 

The work involves project-managing and delivering key partnership projects, and supporting collaboration with both subsidised and commercial cultural organisations, as well as with networks of organisations, funding bodies, cities, and local authorities. We focus on projects that generate knowledge that can be shared with the broader sector to promote climate action.

Candidates will have strong knowledge of the environment and climate, including their root causes, impacts, key issues, solutions, and approaches. You will have the confidence to embed sustainable practices across operations, strong facilitation skills, and the ability to drive change and governance in organisations and networks. 

You will be passionate about the cultural sector's unique role in accelerating a just energy transition and inspiring wider action. We would particularly welcome expertise in community energy networks and solutions, nature restoration and carbon sinks, and broad environmental management and the just transition.

You will have proven project management experience and be able to combine strategic thinking with on-the-ground delivery across all project stages, leading consultancy activities, including mentoring clients and running public-facing sessions. An excellent communicator and confident project manager, you will have a flexible, solution-focused approach.

Responsibilities

As part of the Creative Green and Creative Climate Partnerships team, our Climate Change & Sustainability Specialist will manage partnerships, working closely with a wide range of high-profile organisations in the arts and culture sector to help them understand, manage and improve their commitments to climate action and a just transition. A typical month might involve developing sustainability advice for cultural organisations supported by international cooperation, developing and delivering sustainability training for libraries, researching opportunities for climate action for artistic residencies, analysing environmental management data and writing recommendations and reports, helping write new proposals for partnership development, creating recommendations to influence cultural policy funding in the UK and Europe, creating a net zero plan for museums and theatres, supporting the sustainable production of exhibitions and performances. 

With the Arts Council England programme, you will lead the management and delivery of the strand focused on decarbonisation, working collaboratively with the team. There is a significant opportunity to shape the programme to support organisations in decarbonising across key focus areas, including community energy schemes, district heat networks, nature-based solutions, circular economy initiatives, and energy management approaches, among others. Beyond this key strand, they will collaborate with the team to support aspects of delivery and contribute to team activities across the wider programme as appropriate. They will also collaborate on delivery support and contribute to wider team activities.

Key responsibilities: 

Project scoping and proposal writing

• Actively seek partnership development opportunities that align with our strategy and aims.
• Scoping and planning new projects.
• Writing competitive proposals for new partnership projects.

Project Management and delivery

• Full project management, including managing timelines, resources, contracts, and budgets. This includes high quality, timely delivery of project strands, resources and events within the Creative Green and Partnership programme. 
• Managing and delivering the decarbonisation strand of the Arts Council England environmental programme, and evolving the focus and support provided for organisations in line with sector needs.
• Designing and facilitating training and focus groups for organisations and specific stakeholder groups/networks, leadership sessions in person and/or virtual. 
• Analysing environmental data focusing on energy, materials, carbon footprint calculation, environmental data and science-based targets and life cycle analyses.
• Developing strategic pathways for organisations to decarbonise towards achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions with emphasis on a Just transition and sustainability plans for cultural organisations. Carrying out the necessary research to respond to specific organisational / sector challenges.
• Developing clear and accessible communications about decarbonisation strategies and progress for a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Producing reports, strategy, policies, action plans, tools and resources.
• Providing advice on how clients can meet environmental regulations. 

Learning and knowledge Sharing

• Distilling and synthesising learning, insights and knowledge arising from projects.
• Clear communication and active sharing of knowledge with the wider team to support and enhance internal learning
• Presenting findings and recommendations to clients, partners, Julie’s Bicycle’s team and broader stakeholders.
• Keeping up to date with current research and legislation.

Experience And Skills

Essential

• Significant experience (five to seven years) of working in environmental sustainability programmes or a similar role. 
• Demonstrable experience of successfully managing environmental projects, working in partnership with external organisations
• A degree in environmental science/studies/management/sustainability and/or another relevant academic discipline area, or evidence of equivalent expertise.
• A proactive, flexible approach, and the ability to progress work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• An interest in the arts and culture, the role they can play in the climate crisis, and the sustainability issues that impact this sector.
• Demonstrable expertise related to a range of the following: decarbonising pathways and just transition, community energy networks and solutions, nature restoration and carbon sinks, broad environmental management and circular economy, and sustainability in the supply chain.
• Deep commitment to climate justice and to threading this throughout their work
• Experience and confidence in designing and facilitating workshops, training and focused group discussions or similar.
• Experience in writing proposals and relationship management with high-profile organisations.
• Experience in project management from the beginning to the end of a project, including learning and evaluation.
• Experience in carbon footprint calculation, conversion factors, and analysis.
• Experience in undertaking consultation and information gathering with organisations from which to develop strategy, policy, and action plans.
• Client/ Partners-facing presentation skills.
• Excellent written skills.
• Scientific and numerical skills.
• Strategic thinking.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Desirable

• Sustainability experience gained within the cultural sector / specific experience working with museums and galleries, performance venues, theatres or cultural services.
• Business skills and commercial awareness.
• Understanding of communications strategies.
• Experience of writing reports, guides, and communication materials for non-academic audiences.
• IEMA membership or similar.

Why Join Us?

At Julie’s Bicycle, you’ll join a passionate team working at the intersection of creativity and climate action. We offer a collaborative, inclusive, and flexible working culture, where your voice will shape how the cultural sector responds to one of the greatest challenges of our time. 

How to apply

If you’d like to apply, please: 

• Complete the application form and equal opportunities monitoring form found on our website.

Submit these via our application portal by 11.59pm on Sunday 18th Jan 2026.

We encourage people from any background to apply for this post. We are committed to creating a workforce which is representative of our society, and to bringing together those with a variety of skills and experiences to help shape what we do and how we work. We are particularly keen to hear from people of colour and those who self-identify as disabled.

Please note, this post is open to people who already have the right to live and work in the UK, as Julie’s Bicycle is not currently in a position to sponsor a work visa. 

A note on AI

While we understand that some people may use AI tools for accessibility (and recognise and support that many assistive technologies may use elements of AI), we ask candidates to consider what tools are most appropriate during the application process. For example, we recognise the value for many people of machine learning language tools like Grammarly. On the other hand we would discourage the use of generative AI tools in writing your application, as we'd like to understand your personal interest in working for Julie's Bicycle, and be able to understand your non-AI-assisted communication skills just as they are. We also recognise that for many of the people and creative communities we work with, the rise of generative AI poses a threat to their livelihoods, while the environmental impacts of AI are only set to grow: this means we also have a responsibility as Julie's Bicycle to consider where and when (and if) we use AI in our work. 

Thank you for your interest in working at Julie’s Bicycle.

Cambridge Science Centre (CSC) sits at the heart of a vibrant network of philanthropists, educators, community groups, visionary businesses and local government bodies across East Anglia. With over a decade of trusted STEM engagement behind us, a dedicated expert team and a loyal network of long-term supporters, CSC is uniquely positioned to drive lasting
change in communities across the region.

This role builds on that strong foundation. You will deepen existing relationships, identify and shape new opportunities, and help secure CSC’s long-term financial sustainability through innovative, high-impact partnerships.

As the primary contact for partnership development, you will play a central role in shaping and funding our multi-year programmes, while also leading on high-value, short-term opportunities connected to our Cambridge Science Park site and outreach hubs such as Inspire Wisbech. Your work will balance immediate income generation with the cultivation of long-term strategic
relationships that advance CSC’s mission and regional impact.

Circa £66,000 per annum

Permanent

Part home/Part office (London) based

UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as Head of UK Policy and Advocacy and shape and lead the direction of our child rights work in the UK.

In this role you will oversee our domestic/UK-facing child rights policy work with an overarching focus on improving early childhood outcomes and reducing disparities between children across the UK. You’ll be joining at an exciting time for the team as it develops the next phase of our cross-organisational Early Moments Matter campaign and deepens its policy influencing work through the production of new evidence, briefings and engagement across the sector and government departments. You will play an active role in the Advocacy Leadership Team, ensuring our work is underpinned by robust strategies and analysis, and is undertaken in a way that reflects our organisational values.

To succeed in this role, you will have an in-depth understanding and experience of policy-making processes and influencing strategies in the UK. You will have an excellent understanding of the policy context of child rights in the UK, and be able to translate that knowledge and expertise into support for team members to deliver ambitious change for children. You will be passionate about centering lived experience, and be able to lead the team in strengthening engagement of rightsholders in the development and delivery of our policy work.

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 19 January 2026.

Interview date: Week beginning 02 February 2026 via video conferencing (MS Teams).

In return, we offer:

· excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)

· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role

· impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.

· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.

We are gradually moving back to our offices on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and we anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office and the rest of the time from home.  We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)

We Are Purposeful is looking foe a Senior Learning and Insights Manager!  This is a remote role with a preference for candidates based in the Global South.

WHO WE ARE:

 .

“Remaking the world with and for girls”

Purposeful is a movement-building hub for adolescent girls and young feminists. We resource their resistance, accompany journeys of political education, build solidarity between and across movements, amplify their voices, catalyse collaborative philanthropy and support innovation in grassroots programming with and for girls and young feminists.

Our work is both global and deeply local. In Sierra Leone, we bring our work together into one integrated strategy, sparking a groundswell of girls and young feminists who can access and imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities. We move money to their allies to influence change, from communities to courtrooms. Across the world we support girls’ and young feminists’ organising and activism through a girl-led participatory grant-making process called the With and For Girls Fund. In times of crisis, we move money rapidly to girls and young feminists organising on the frontlines via the Global Resilience Fund.  No matter where we are, we work so that girls and young feminists can access the resources, networks and platforms they need to remake the world for themselves.

Purposeful is a proudly feminist organisation, with a strong intersectional power analysis. We pursue strategies that prioritise the collective liberation of girls. We are looking for team members who share our feminist ideals. We believe the best work happens in dialogue, and we value collective decision-making. We believe in celebrating success, amongst staff and partners alike. We are looking for team members with a deep commitment to collaborative working, and who bring a sense of joy and humour to what can be challenging work.

We pride ourselves on our diversity, the multiple languages we speak and places we live. We are all parents or have other caring responsibilities. We prioritise work-life balance, many of us have other projects and passions outside of Purposeful. As a team we prioritise opportunities for learning, sharing, and embedding different worldviews. We are looking for team members who thrive in diverse and cross-cultural contexts, and who bring passion, creativity and a thirst for learning to their work.

We are our partnerships. We are most proud of the shared vision we have built with our partners - rooted in mutuality, trust, and collaboration. We are looking for team members who will work tirelessly to rebalance power disparities in funder-partner relationships, acting as responsible stewards of resources of and for our movements.

CONTEXT OF THIS ROLE:

At Purposeful, learning is a political responsibility. We are reclaiming and organising our many ways of knowing, meeting stories with data, and building a robust case for this work. We are bridging traditional logical frameworks with feminist learning principles and creating space for their co-existence. 

The Senior Learning and Insights Manager will play a critical role--  contributing to a bold learning and insights strategy aligned with Purposeful’s vision, mission, and growth, leading the design of data collection systems, contributing to data collection efforts, from surveys to storytelling, closing feedback loops and crafting knowledge products, intended to inform, influence and amplify. 

They will bring technical expertise across a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, they will come with curiosity and a willingness to share. The Learning and Insights Manager will work closely with the Learning and Insights Lead and across all Purposeful teams, particularly Grant-making, Communications and Resource Mobilisation. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join Purposeful at a time when we are launching a new strategy and consolidating everything we’ve learned about our learning and insights approach over the last seven years. 

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Learning and Insights Strategy and Systems

• Contribute to the delivery and implementation of a new Learning and Insights strategy and results framework, building on our Learning Agenda. 

• Lead the design and embedding of data collection tools and systems across Purposeful teams, in particular our global grantmaking and advocacy teams.

• Work closely with the Learning and Insights team to champion a culture of learning within Purposeful and with grantee partners. 

2. Technical Support

• Lead cycles of data collection across our global grantmaking work - supporting regional teams with technical expertise, as and when needed. 

• Periodically join learning calls, spaces and convenings with our grantee partners - embedding and supporting documentation. 

• Lead regular cross team learning and insights meetings and drive follow up actions.

• Conduct periodic analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and produce synthesis that informs strategic choices across thematic and regional work.

• Facilitate sense-making and feedback loops with the Purposeful team, girls, young feminists, and grantee partners. 

• Manage timelines and workplans to feed into key learning and reporting moments. 

3. Research 

• Move learning grants to grantees (approximately five to ten grants annually) to enable them to document their work and/or conduct research which they have identified as a priority  - this includes an application process, accompaniment plan and check-ins. 

• Contribute to the delivery of research led or commissioned by Purposeful, this may include the reviewing TORS and methodologies, check ins with consultants, and reviewing deliverables.

4. Knowledge Production and Dissemination 

• Conceptualize and produce case studies, briefs or other knowledge products underpinned by quantitative and qualitative data, to assist with case building.

• Contribute to the development of other external knowledge products as required, such as slidedecks, thematic briefs, regional briefs, blogs, op-eds, and research reports. 

• Work across teams to identify opportunities to disseminate and amplify knowledge products, including conference spaces, social media campaigns, webinars, instagram lives and academic publications. 

• Lead and/or contribute to the drafting of conference and journal abstracts. 

• Represents Purposeful in high level external spaces, including conferences, funder collaborations and research partnerships.

5. Other 

• Line manages one to two team members and oversees consultants as required.

• Respond to information needs and requests of the Senior Management and Leadership Team as needed. 

• Stay abreast of research related to our work and research methodologies, by reviewing publications and attending related conferences, meetings, and other events. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience & Skills

• At least five to seven years of experience in MEL or research, including experience working with philanthropic funds, feminist organisations or social justice movements.

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing learning frameworks and systems across multiple projects or funds. 

• In-depth understanding of feminist issues, movement building, social justice and/or girls’ rights, or another thematic area, such as humanitarian aid or climate change, and how it relates to girls and young feminists.

• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research.

• The capacity to analyse, critique and identify themes and insights.

• Experience of Salesforce or another database or information management system.

• Proven experience facilitating cross team learning and influencing senior colleagues to act on evidence and insights.

• Excellent writing skills, with demonstrable experience of tailoring knowledge products for different audiences. 

• Data visualisation skills are desirable. 

• Strong attention to detail, organisational skills and ability to multi-task.

• Strong (in-person and virtual) workshop development and facilitation skills. 

• Strong project management skills.

• Confidence to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Fluency or high proficiency  in a second language, preferably Arabic (spoken and written) 

• Willingness to travel, approximately four to six weeks per year

Policy Specialist (children and young people)

Are you interested in improving the lives of children and young people with a learning disability? Can you turn complex ideas into evidence-based policy? Are you a skilled communicator able to influence decision-makers? If so, we would love to hear from you!

We are currently looking for a Policy Specialist to join Mencap. This position sits within the Policy and Public Affairs teams of Mencap’s Campaigns, Advocacy and Activism Directorate (CAA). You will work closely with our influencing, information and advice, campaigning, and research work, as well as sector partners like the Disabled Children's Partnership.

This is an exciting new role to deliver policy change and enhance the rights of children and young people with a learning disability. At a key time to influence Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) education reform, we are seeking a policy specialist to shape policy work that reflects the needs and experiences of children, young people, and their families. Working within the policy team, you will be responsible for developing evidence-based policy work and influencing decision-makers. 

This is a full time position (37.5 hours per week). We are flexible with your work location, but there may be some occasional travel needed to our London office or Westminster.

You will:

· Translate complex work into clear and persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses and reports.

· Work within wider coalitions of charities, building collaborative relationships and ensuring that the needs and priorities of our community are addressed.

· Develop and expand Mencap’s ‘Policy Shapers’ work, ensuring our work reflects the experiences of children and young people with a learning disability and their families.

· Support our information and advice team, briefing them on important developments, inputting into casework discussions relevant to your areas of work, and supporting the creation of public information resources.

· Represent Mencap at meetings and events, with MPs, civil servants, and sector partners.

· Identify and analyse relevant research to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.

You will bring to this role:

· Experience of working on public policy issues.

· Strong communication skills: experience tailoring your messaging to a variety of different audiences and representing an organisation.

· Experience building positive relationships and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes; able to positively challenge, negotiate and compromise.

· The ability to work on your own initiative while contributing to team priorities and sustain enthusiasm under pressure.

· Experience analysing evidence to develop recommendations.

· Knowledge the issues facing children and young people with a learning disability and/or the SEND system, as well as the wider parliamentary system.

· Passion about making the world a better place for people with a learning disability.

If you're passionate about driving meaningful change for children and young people with a learning disability and you're ready to use your policy expertise to make a real impact, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. This advert has been extended and will now close on Sunday, 4th January, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 12th January 2026.

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

White Ribbon is the leading organisation in the UK working to engage men and boys in ending violence against women and girls. Our mission is to prevent men’s violence against women through addressing its root causes, gender inequality and harmful gender norms and stereotypes. We do this by working with individual men and boys, organisations, and the community, helping them to understand the scale of the problem, and how they can be part of the solution.

This is an exciting time to join White Ribbon as our work and profile has grown significantly over recent years as the importance of engaging men in ending violence has become more apparent. We have an increasing public presence, through campaigning activities, policy influence, in the media and online.

Location: This is a London based post, with remote working.  Most frequent and regular networking and partnership meetings and events will be in London, with some travel throughout England and Wales, particularly around the White Ribbon Day period.  You will be required to attend occasional meetings with the staff team at various locations around the country, including quarterly in West Yorkshire.

You will lead our policy work to influence decision makers and our awareness raising campaigns, including our flagship White Ribbon Day and the following 16 days of activism, with ambitious engagement targets across a wide group of stakeholders.   Your work will bring about demonstrable societal and policy change.

Please see the full job description and person specification attached.

Senior Practice and Research Development Officer (Adults)
Salary £32,684 per annum, actual for 0.8 FTE (£40,855 per annum FTE)
Contract: Fixed term for 18 months, with the potential to extend
Hours: Part-Time 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE)
Location: Hybrid working from Devon TQ12 or Sheffield S1 Office. Home based within UK for the right candidate.

The Vacancy

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research in Practice has supported evidence-informed practice in adult social care for twenty years and for almost thirty years in the children and families’ sector. We are now seeking a Senior Practice and Research Development Officer to join our adult’s team.

This senior role is ideal for someone with excellent facilitation skills and substantial experience in adult social care or related sectors. While the position requires engagement with and understanding of research it is not a primary research role.

The successful candidate will have experience designing and delivering resources, workshops, webinars, and events for a range of audiences, including senior leaders. The role requires a strong understanding of research, policy, ethical and legal frameworks relevant to practice and the ability to translate complex evidence into accessible learning. Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills are essential.

The post holder will lead a small team of committed Research and Development Officers developing and delivering high-quality learning resources in various formats.

The role involves:

• having substantial experience in adult social care or related sectors
• presenting, chairing, and facilitating a range of sector-wide discussions, workshops, webinars and other learning events,
• supporting the team to develop their facilitation skills,
• scoping, commissioning, writing and editing, event materials and written resources, and supporting the team with this,
• quality assuring learning programme materials and written resources.

About Research in Practice

Research in Practice is part of the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) family. For over 60 years, the NCB has been building a better childhood for all.

Research in Practice works with organisations across adults’ and children’s social care, health, criminal justice, and higher education, supporting evidence-informed approaches to improve policy, services, and outcomes for people of all ages. By bringing together research evidence, practice wisdom, and lived experience, we collaborate with professionals and experts to develop tailored resources, learning opportunities, and specialist support that meet the needs of our partners.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Employee Assistance Programme

Applications close at 08:00am on Wednesday 14th January 2026.
Successful applicants will be notified by Thursday 22nd January 2026 and invited to interview. Assessment and interviews to be conducted on Tuesday 27th January 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

No agencies please.