Food and health research officer jobs

Help Shape a Fairer Food Future: Food Justice Alliance Coordinator

Food Justice Alliance Coordinator

Closing date: 11th September 2026,  5pm - We will close applications early if we receive a strong pool of applicants

Role Overview

Responsible to: Cambridge Sustainable Food CIC (host organisation), with accountability to the Food Justice Alliance Steering Group 

Location: Cambridge 

Contract: Two years, subject to funding

Salary: £36,000 FTE

Cambridge Sustainable Food CIC

Cambridge Sustainable Food CIC (CSF) is a non-profit organisation established in 2018 working to build a fairer, more sustainable food system which supports the community and the environment. We campaign to achieve healthy and sustainable food for everyone; food which is good for our health, the planet, and the local economy. 

The Food Justice Alliance

The Cambridge Food Justice Alliance is a network of local organisations working together to address food insecurity in Cambridge and take strategic, collective action for lasting food justice. The Alliance strengthens connections across the city, supports partners to share knowledge and experience, identifies shared priorities, and coordinates activity to help residents access fair, dignified and sustainable food support. Its work is guided by a steering group with representatives from Cambridge Sustainable Food, Cambridge City Foodbank, Cambridge City Council, Cambridge United Charitable Trust, Abbey People CIO, Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum and Church of the Good Shepherd. The Steering Group shapes key themes, agrees collective actions and identifies the partners best placed to lead specific areas of work. 

This is a coordination and systems leadership role, not a frontline delivery post. The Coordinator will strengthen partnership working, improve communication and shared learning, support resident involvement, and increase the Alliance's influence on policy, funding and system change. The role will help build a stronger, more connected and influential Alliance, enabling collective action to address both the causes and impacts of food insecurity.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Coordination and Development

• Coordinate and facilitate meetings of the Steering Group, wider Alliance and working groups.

• Establish and maintain an annual work plan, monitor progress and support shared accountability.

• Build strong relationships across voluntary, community, statutory, academic and grassroots organisations.

• Support partners to identify shared priorities, reduce duplication and develop collaborative approaches.

Mapping, Insight and Systems Development

• Develop and maintain a clear picture of food-related provision across Cambridge.

• Map support pathways, referral routes, gaps and opportunities.

• Improve understanding of how services connect, including emergency food, community sector provision, public health, advice services and other statutory organisations

• Use evidence and insight to inform planning, funding, communications and advocacy.

• Contribute to and reflect national learning through the Sustainable Food Places network

Lived Experience and Community Participation

• Develop meaningful ways for people experiencing food insecurity to influence priorities and decision-making.

• Remove barriers to participation and ensure diverse voices are represented.

• Support resident panels, listening events, peer research and community engagement.

• Promote lived experience as a valued source of expertise within the Alliance.

Learning, Communication and Influence

• Develop learning and peer support across the Alliance.

• Organise workshops, partner showcases and the annual Food Justice Alliance Conference.

• Act as a central point of contact and improve communication between partners.

• Support accessible resources that make the local food support system easier to understand and navigate.

• Build relationships beyond the food sector, including health, housing, education, disability, mental health, advice and community development services.

• Coordinate campaigns and influencing activity and represent the Alliance in relevant forums.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Sustainability

• Coordinate the collection and use of data, learning and lived experience evidence.

• Develop an impact framework and reporting systems.

• Produce briefings and updates for partners, funders and decision-makers.

• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Alliance.

Skills and Experience

Essential

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience in partnership coordination, community development, public health, network facilitation or systems change.

• Knowledge of food poverty, food justice and the wider causes of food insecurity.

• Strong communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to engage people with lived experience and support inclusive participation.

• Strong analytical, organisational and written communication skills.

• Experience supporting advocacy, campaigns or influencing activity.

• A collaborative, inclusive and reflective approach.

Desirable

• Experience of food partnerships, community networks, or resident engagement.

• Knowledge of Cambridge’s voluntary and community sector and experience working with public sector partners.

• Experience of fundraising, partnership bid development or community food initiatives.

Location note:please see location information below - we actively encourage applications from people across Europe, and a relocation package is available for candidates moving to either country if necessary.

Lead the strategy and team behind Europe’s push for protein diversification.

The Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) is a nonprofit think tank at the forefront of the movement to transform meat production in order to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, from climate change and global hunger to antibiotic resistance and animal suffering. Our vision is a thriving world, fed sustainably.

With a nonprofit entity in Belgium, a branch in the UK and colleagues working from seven other countries that make up GFI Europe, we are also part of an international network of affiliates. We advance the science, policies and investment needed to make plant-based, cultivated and fermentation-made meat delicious, affordable and accessible across Europe. Please check out the rest of our website, our 2025 Year in Review and our 2025 Europe highlights blog post to find out more about who we are and what we do.

We are looking for an Executive Director to lead GFI Europe’s strategy and team, play a key role in shaping and advancing GFI’s global strategy, and foster the relationships and organisational strength needed to accelerate the shift towards a resilient and sustainable food system.

How you will make a difference 

You will have high responsibility and high impact. Reporting to, and appointed by, the Board of GFI Europe, you will lead a ~50-person team working from nine European countries. 

You will:

• Enable strategic focus:

  • Align the team around a clear and compelling organisational direction that aligns with the GFI network’s mission and theory of change.

  • Translate organisational direction into high-level priorities in collaboration with GFI Europe’s Leadership Team.

  • Ensure Europe’s strategic decisions are made well – soliciting the right input from the right people, preserving autonomy in areas of specific expertise, and making decisions when organisation-wide trade-offs are required.

  • Take ultimate responsibility for maximising outcomes and impact in pursuit of our mission.

• Provide leadership to the team:

  • Empower, develop and inspire a high-performing, people-centric team. 

  • Lead GFI Europe’s Leadership Team, formed of six department heads, ensuring they continue to function on a ‘first-team’ basis to achieve organisational objectives. 

  • Champion and uphold a values-driven culture built upon transparency, autonomy, collaboration, accountability, and psychological safety. Champion the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion into the team’s day-to-day work.

• Represent GFI Europe in GFI’s international network:

  • Participate in international strategic and coordination workstreams as a member of GFI’s Regional Leadership Group, comprising GFI’s affiliate leads.

  • Act as the primary liaison between GFI’s affiliates and European teams on strategies, processes and goals. Ensure the Europe team can successfully connect with, influence, support and navigate a complex international network, including global workstreams such as fundraising and impact reporting.

  • Participate in discussions about global strategy and resource allocation so as to maximise GFI’s overall mission impact, including communicating GFI Europe’s strategy, resourcing needs and contributions as part of the international GFI network.

• Represent GFI Europe in front of donors and external stakeholders:

  • Work closely with global and Europe-based fundraising teams to help ensure GFI achieves its fundraising goals.

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, prospective supporters and key stakeholders.

  • Serve as a public representative of, and spokesperson for, the organisation by speaking at conferences, events, and with the media. 

• Oversee organisational health:

  • Ensure strong governance, legal compliance, financial sustainability and reporting in partnership with the Board and the Head of Operations. 

  • Be the main legal representative of the organisation, reviewing and signing all legally relevant agreements and organisational documents.

• Perform other duties as appropriate.

Core capabilities needed to succeed in this role:

• Mission alignment. A passion for GFI’s philosophy and mission.

• Strategic judgement. Strong analytical skills and sound judgement, being able to absorb and process a range of types of information, understand the activities that GFI undertakes, and provide leadership and guidance to team members. You have the experience and ability to make strategic trade-offs across projects, functions, teams, countries/regions, programmes, etc – weighing resource allocation, prioritising impact, and communicating those decisions clearly and inclusively to stakeholders. 

• Thoughtful leadership. You align teams behind a clear and impactful vision. You know when to persevere and when to change course, and have led people, both directly and indirectly, to deliver impact. You trust the people closest to the work to make decisions, and you address hard topics when they truly matter. You own mistakes and make a genuine effort to learn and grow from them. You are intentional about remote leadership.

• Understanding the wider context. You can make sense of the political, economic and cultural forces shaping Europe’s food system today and are adept at drawing on patterns and ideas from outside our field to identify possible implications for GFI Europe’s next move. 

• Excellent people skills. High emotional intelligence and an ability to diplomatically engage across perspectives, being able to build and maintain trust with colleagues and stakeholders across multiple cultures, viewpoints and needs within Europe and beyond. 

• Financial literacy. Skilled at overseeing substantial financial resources, including partnering with the operations team on resource allocation. You have held accountability for a significant organisational budget and can interpret financial data to make sound, well-informed decisions.

• Fundraising acumen. You understand how GFI’s strategy, culture, and mission impact shape the organisation’s ability to raise funds and steward donors, and you’re enthusiastic about partnering with the fundraising team to make this happen. You bring an understanding of the philanthropic sector and donor relationships, or of fundraising in other sectors (eg, the private sector or government), while deferring to the fundraising team’s expertise on how donor relationships are best managed.

• Strong communication skills. An ability to convincingly articulate and explain our mission and work and to represent the organisation in the media, with programmatic stakeholders, and with donors. Comfort adapting your tone and message for different audiences across diverse cultures, and excellent verbal and written English skills.

• Flexible approach to work. We estimate that travel will account for approximately six weeks of the year. This will likely consist of two GFI Europe team-wide retreats (3-5 days each), one leadership retreat (2-3 days), other sporadic trips generally lasting 1-3 days, and occasional longer trips of approximately 5-7 days (for conferences and donor or partner meetings across Europe and internationally). In addition, you will need occasional flexibility in your working hours to accommodate coordination with other affiliates around the world.

• Integrity. You do what you say you’ll do, and are discreet when handling confidential information.

It would be an advantage to have the following, though none are prerequisites:

• Sector familiarity. Familiarity with or experience working in the food system, alternative proteins or an adjacent sector in Europe.

• Impact leadership. Strong knowledge and/or experience of being part of the leadership team of a nonprofit, think tank or other social impact-focused organisation.

• Governance and compliance experience. Experience with legal representation and board reporting, and/or experience working on nonprofit compliance, especially in Belgium.

• Fundraising partnership experience. You’ve contributed to fundraising in a supportive capacity – whether managing a fundraising function, advising on donor and prospect strategy, joining donor conversations alongside a development team, or shaping fundraising strategy at an executive level.

• Network experience. Experience working in one or more network models (eg, affiliate or franchise-style, federation, confederation, etc).

• Languages. The ability to work in European languages in addition to English.

The Fine Print:

• Terms of employment: Full-time (flexible hours), permanent. 

• Location: This role can be based in either Belgium or the United Kingdom, where GFI Europe has established entities and where you must have the right to work. We actively encourage applications from people across Europe, and a relocation package is available for candidates moving to either country if necessary.

  • Relocation support will be provided with a budget of up to £8,000 in the UK or €8,700 in Belgium, which can be used for transport, temporary housing, and other relocation expenses deemed necessary.

• Salary and benefits: The salary and benefits packages for all of our roles are researched and benchmarked based on similar nonprofit roles in the country/location of hire. 

  • Belgium: €7,900-€8,900 gross monthly salary (€109,925-€123,907 annually including 13th month and holiday pay).

    • Plus benefits including home-working allowance (if applicable), meal vouchers, eco vouchers, and professional development allocation.

  • United Kingdom: £90,500-£104,000 gross annual salary.

• You can read more about our wider benefits offering on our website. 

• Right to work requirements: The successful candidate must, by the start of the employment, have permission to work in the country where they are based for the role, and be able to travel within the EU and internationally.

• Application Deadline: 13 September 2026, 11.59pm CEST. We will get back to all candidates after that date, no matter the outcome of their application.

• Right to work requirements: The successful candidate must, by the start of the employment, have permission to work in the country where they are based for the role, and be able to travel within the EU and internationally.

Who we are

Coeliac UK is the UK’s only charity for people affected by coeliac disease and everyone who needs to live gluten-free. We provide trusted information and support, champion better diagnosis, improve access to safe gluten free food, and drive the research and advocacy needed to improve lives today while moving closer to a cure.

Our mission is clear: no life should be limited by coeliac disease. Every role at Coeliac UK contributes to that purpose, whether through diagnosis and equality, support and access, research and advocacy, or the enabling work that helps our teams deliver lasting change for our members and beneficiaries.

About the role

This is an amazing opportunity to lead one of the UK’s most respected health charities through a period of transformation. Coeliac UK has a clear strategic direction, an ambitious and engaged Board, an outstanding reputation across healthcare, research and industry, and a passionate team committed to improving the lives of people affected by coeliac disease. The next Chief Executive won’t be asked to write another strategy; they will bring it to life.

As Chief Executive, you will lead the organisation, creating the pace, focus and momentum needed to turn ambition into lasting impact. You will unite and inspire people behind a shared vision, strengthen organisational performance, build a high-performing and collaborative culture, diversify income, and ensure Coeliac UK is financially resilient for the future. At the same time, you will elevate the charity’s influence, championing the needs of people affected by coeliac disease with government, the NHS, researchers, industry and partners. This is an opportunity to shape the future of an organisation with enormous potential; leading meaningful change, embracing innovation and ensuring Coeliac UK has an even greater impact for generations to come.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an inspiring, emotionally intelligent and values-led leader with a proven track record of delivering organisational transformation. Whether your experience has been gained within the charity sector, a membership organisation, healthcare, public service or another purpose-led environment, you will bring the ability to turn strategy into action and lead people through change with confidence and compassion.

You will have a strong commercial and strategic mindset, with experience of strengthening financial sustainability through income growth, partnerships or innovation, alongside the credibility to represent Coeliac UK with government, the NHS, researchers, industry and supporters.

Just as importantly, you will be an authentic and visible leader who builds trust, develops high-performing teams, embraces accountability and creates an inclusive culture where people can thrive. You don’t need a personal connection to coeliac disease or previous CEO experience, but you will bring a genuine passion for the charity’s mission and the determination to help Coeliac UK realise its considerable potential.

To register your interest and view the role description, please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to Peridot Partners' website.

The trustees of the eating disorders charity tastelifeUK are looking to appoint a new CEO to lead us through the next phase of growth and development.

For 12 years tastelife has been bringing hope and help to those affected by eating disorders through recovery programmes, prevention resources and education, and the demand for our services and resources is increasing. We are in a time of great opportunity when the right kind of leadership will bring together supporter networks, diverse funding streams and strategic insights to make the most of it.

The successful candidate will be someone with developed leadership qualities, a commitment to good mental health and a personal living faith. As we connect across the worlds of health and education, the CEO needs to have excellent communication skills and a proven ability to network with others and expand our connections.

We offer a committed staff team and a wonderful network of volunteer leaders across the UK and in other parts of the world.Developing these individuals and growing their skills and passion will always be paramount. The CEO will mix working from home with times of gathering with staff and volunteers face to face. It will involve some evening work and occasional weekends.

tastelife began as a local ministry from the church, fuelled by personal experience of eating disorders. It offered safe places for learning and recovery to those directly affected, and their families. It continues to provide this but identifies itself now as a national resource also working alongside the NHS, schools and universities, campaign groups and research.

Working effectively both in the secular and sacred spaces, we believe that God is present through it all and we are increasing our impact through advocacy with other agencies in government.

• Hours0.8-1.0 fte
• Salary45,000 – 50,000 pro rata depending on experience
• Location  hybrid working from home and various locations in the UK
• Closing date5pm on the 31st August 2026
• Interviews16th and 17th September

To apply, please go to the tastelife webiste for the recruitment pack and application form. 

START are recruiting for an Operations Manager.

Job Title: Operations Manager
Location: Salford
Employer: START
Hours: 4 Days per week (28 hours) worked across Monday to Friday, specific work pattern to be agreed, with flexibility required)
Salary Band: £33,860 - £40,000 FTE (£27,088 - £32,000 per annum actual for 28 hours per week)
Contract Type: Permanent
Pension: 5% employer contribution
Annual Leave: 30 days plus statutory holidays (pro rata for part-time staff)

About Us

START is a Salford based mental health charity, of over 30 years, that uses creativity, connection and recovery interventions to help improve people's lives.

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced, proactive and highly organised Operations Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of START by ensuring the organisation operates safely, efficiently and in line with best practice.

Core Responsibilities

As Operations Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operational management of the charity, leading on health and safety, facilities management, information governance, H.R, organisational policies and procedures, and the continuous improvement of our operational systems. You will also manage operational staff, lead key organisational projects and work collaboratively with colleagues, trustees, partners and external contractors to support the delivery of our strategic objectives.

This varied and rewarding role requires a confident leader with excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills, who can manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of compliance and service delivery. You will be passionate about creating efficient systems, fostering a positive working environment and ensuring the organisation remains compliant with relevant legislation and best practice.

Additional Information

If you are an experienced operational leader who thrives on driving improvement, building strong relationships and supporting an organisation that makes a real difference in people's lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date for receiving applications will be Tuesday 18th August 2026 at 12 noon.

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

START are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. With this in mind, we welcome applications irrespective of age, disability, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation

No agencies please.

The Head of Public Fundraising is a new role at Coeliac UK leading the charity’s public fundraising function. The role focusses on driving sustainable growth across individual giving, community fundraising, events, lottery, raffle, digital fundraising and merchandise. This role is responsible for delivering Coeliac UK’s 5-year fundraising strategy to maximise return-on-investment, grow long term supporter value, and contribute to the charity’s mission. 

The Head of Public Fundraising will embed and deliver comprehensive fundraising strategies, growing Coeliac UK’s supporter base and income, building up new and under-developed income streams and communicating effectively with their audiences to expand their reach, and encourage financial and non-financial support to deliver the organisations mission.

Who are we looking for?

Key to the success of this role is a strong understanding of individual giving fundraising. This role blends the strategic oversight and leadership of a Head of role across multiple income streams, with the hands-on expertise of an IG fundraiser. Experience across other income streams and areas of fundraising delivery would be a huge benefit as the role leads community fundraising and events, will take on digital fundraising - currently led by the Chief Engagement Officer, as well as manage the data and supporter care functions, but experience in individual giving is essential as Coeliac UK has defined that as an area of priority income. To progress to a screening call with THINK Recruitment, your CV must demonstrate evidence of delivering individual giving income in a UK charity environment. 

The successful candidate for this role will be someone who has already operated at a senior level within a charity such as at Senior Manager level, or Head of in a specific income stream.

Hybrid working

The role has a hybrid expectation of a minimum of a day a week in the High Wycombe office (HP11 2QW) to build relationships and provide support to the fundraising team, and there will be flexibility required for other in person meetings and events. However, Coeliac UK are keen to secure the very best candidate, if the hybrid expectation presents challenge for you but you otherwise meet the requirements of the role, please do get in touch with THINK to discuss. 

Application notes 

Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.

To progress your application, please contact THINK Recruitment to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the closing date.  You will be provided with information on how to complete your full application on the call. 

If you need assistance with downloading the pack or any reasonable adjustments to ensure you can engage with the selection process, please contact THINK Recruitment and our team will support you.

Closing date for expressions of interest: Midday Friday 21st August

Closing date for full applications: Midnight Sunday 23rd August