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This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.
The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
- Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
- Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
- Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
- Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
- Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
- Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network
About The Difference
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Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.
About You
Essential
- Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
- Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
- Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
- Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
- Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
- Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
- Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people
Desired
- Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
- Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
- Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
- Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
- Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
- Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations
Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Title: Communications and Engagement Officer PT, 3 days per week
(Fixed Term Contract – 21 months June 2026- March 2028)
Reports to: Assistant Curator
This is an exciting part-time position to help develop our new Seeing Nature, Shaping Culture: Art and Identity in Prehistory project. The Communications and Engagement Officer will play a key role in delivering this new project, a major two-year exhibition project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The role will involve the coordination and promotion of a community activity programme to reflect the objects and themes in the two main exhibitions ‘Iron Age Farmsteads’ and ‘Shaping Britain: the influences of European Cultures on Prehistoric Britain.’
The post-holder will help to design, deliver and promote an inclusive community programme that connects new audiences with Prehistoric Britain through creative, hands-on activities and interpretation of the planned exhibitions, working closely with the Assistant Curator to create partnerships with local cultural organisations and recruit visitor experience volunteers. The post will involve working weekends and some bank holidays.
Celtic Harmony is a charity that aims to improve the well-being of children, young people and adults through engaging, interactive experiences with the visual heritage of Prehistory and through the lifelong learning programme, creating a more sustainable future in harmony with the natural world.
Location: Celtic Harmony Camp has been awarded the Hidden Gem accolade from Visit England and is a reconstructed Iron Age settlement nestled in acres of Hertfordshire woodland - with plenty of clean air! The office is located in The Prehistory Centre with all modern amenities, own transport is recommended as we are in a rural setting.
Relationships
- The Communications and Engagement Officer is accountable to the Assistant Curator in all matters.
- The Communications and Engagement Officer develops and delivers community activities that speak to the themes of the exhibitions.
- The Communications and Engagement Officer works in collaboration with the Assistant Curator and CEO to develop and market community activities.
- The Communications and Engagement Officer supports and reports to the Assistant Curator and CEO for the collaboration with community groups.
- Proactively contribute in team meetings and initiatives for new initiatives and events.
Key deliverables of the role:
- Design, coordinate, and deliver accessible community activities and events such as after school clubs, society tours, U3A talks, Saturday clubs for young people, in accordance with the exhibition programme.
- Support the Assistant Curator in developing inclusive interpretation for the individual exhibitions and create partnerships with cultural organisations to participate in the community programme.
- The promotion of community events through copywriting and creation of visuals offline and online via social media
- Ensure that activities are accessible to diverse audiences and aligned with safeguarding and risk assessment requirements.
- Support in organising and running community workshops and exhibition events.
- Recruit, supervise and support for visitor experience volunteers.
- Collect, record, and maintain monitoring and evaluation data such as visitor attendance and feedback.
- Contribute to the exhibition’s evaluations and the final project evaluation and reporting.
- Maintain materials and equipment for community events and activities.
- Contribute to the marketing and communications to promote the individual exhibitions and community activities.
- Work with initiatives such as the National Saturday Club, The Arts Award and Kids in Museums, to ensure quality, engaging provision and accredited activity for children and young people.
- Assist in researching fundraising initiatives, including a ‘Friends of Celtic Harmony’ membership scheme in year two of the project.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience delivering learning or engagement programmes in heritage, museums, education, or arts.
- Experience in copywriting and visuals to promote community events.
- Experience in recruiting and/or working with volunteers.
- Interest and experience in the outdoor heritage and education environment
- Experience in working with and engaging diverse audiences and communities.
- Experience in coordinating volunteers.
- Ability to develop and present creative and engaging activities and events.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, be able to successfully influence and guide others.
- Excellent organisational and teamwork skills.
- Understanding of evaluation reporting and methods in cultural projects.
Education
- Educated to degree level or minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role.
Personal characteristics:
- Enthusiastic about heritage, engagement, and education.
- Passionate about public engagement and volunteering.
- Flexible approach and work effectively within a team
- ‘Can do’ attitude and willingness and ability to get the job done
The benefits for you:
- Opportunity to further your career in a growing charity
- Enable you to ‘make a difference’ and the charity to improve well-being for children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- Be part of an exciting new project to showcase Prehistory and engage with the community through volunteering opportunities and community engagement.
- In-house and External Training
- Work as part of a dynamic charity team
- Free Car Park
Remuneration: £17,100 to £18,000per annum pro rata (FTE £28,500 – £30,000) for 24 hours per week.
Deadline: Wednesday 24 June, 2026
Interview: Week of 29 June 2026
Start Date: July, 2026
Seeing Nature, Shaping Culture Project: Art and Identity in Prehistory is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to create the role of Communications and Engagement Officer.
Registered Charity
1 - 5
Celtic Harmony aims to improve the well-being through lifelong learning at Celtic Harmony Camp.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.