Evaluation and applied research manager jobs

Bid Writer — The Heritage Alliance

Application Deadline: 22 May 2026

Fixed Term: 0.4 FTE (14 hours per week) for 6 months 

Start Date: June 2026 

Salary: £33,000 FTE per annum, pro-rata (£6600 total for the contract period) 

Leave: 24 days FTE per annum pro-rata, in addition the Heritage Alliance Office closes between Christmas and New Year 

Line Manager: Head of Development and Membership 

Place of Work: The Heritage Alliance Office, Central London, EC4M 
(Flexible working arrangements can be considered) 

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced bid writer looking for an intensive, focused role with a leading heritage organisation? We are seeking a skilled professional to join our "Creating Connections" project team for a targeted 6-month assignment.

This role is part of The Heritage Alliance's NLHF-funded resilience project, specifically supporting Strand C: Future-proofing our charity. You will work with a pipeline of funding opportunities already developed by our professional fundraising consultant to secure vital long-term funding for our sector support activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced bid writer to make a significant impact in a short time-frame, working with high-quality prospects and supporting England's heritage sector through sustainable funding solutions. 

About The Role

Key Tasks:

Research & Development

• Conduct detailed research on prospective funders to tailor applications effectively 
• Develop compelling case studies and evidence base to support funding applications 
• Research and incorporate relevant sector data, impact statistics, and beneficiary testimonials 
• Stay informed about current funding trends and opportunities in the heritage and charity sectors 
• Identify additional funding opportunities that align with our strategic priorities

Strategic Bid Writing 

• Develop compelling funding applications to trusts, foundations, and grant-making bodies using an established pipeline of prospects 
• Write high-quality proposals for long-term support of the Heritage Funding Directory 
• Create applications for new sector-wide support programmes addressing skills needs and emerging challenges identified in our sector capability-building strategy 
• Adapt proposals to different funder requirements, priorities, and application formats 
• Work closely with the Head of Development to ensure applications align with organisational strateg

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration 

• Work with a professional fundraising consultant to prioritise and progress pipeline opportunities 
• Collaborate with the Heritage Alliance senior team to gather project information and organisational data 
• Engage with relevant staff members to collect evidence, case studies, and impact data 
• Coordinate with the Project Administrator and other team members to ensure consistency in messaging 
• Liaise with potential funders as appropriate during the application process 

Project Support & Administration 

• Maintain accurate records of all funding applications and their progress 
• Manage application deadlines and submission processes 
• Support the development of a sustainable fundraising strategy for post-project continuation 
• Contribute to project reporting and evaluation activities 
• Participate in project team meetings and provide updates on fundraising progress 

Key Competences: 

Experience: 

Essential:

• Proven track record of successful bid writing with demonstrable results in securing funding 
• Experience writing applications to trusts, foundations, and statutory funders 
• Strong background in the charity/not-for-profit sector with understanding of funding landscape 
• Experience managing multiple applications simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines 
• Knowledge of different application formats and funder requirements 

Desirable: 

• Experience in the heritage, cultural, or arts sectors 
• Previous work with membership organisations or sector support bodies 
• Experience with capacity-building or infrastructure funding applications 
• Knowledge of NLHF and other major heritage funders 
• Experience working with professional fundraising consultants 
• Understanding of digital heritage projects and online resource development 

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge: 

Essential: 

• Exceptional written communication skills with ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences, and present detailed information clearly and concisely 
• Strong research skills and ability to quickly understand complex organisational contexts 
• Excellent project management skills with ability to prioritise and meet multiple deadlines 
• High attention to detail and accuracy in application preparation 
• Understanding of charity finance, governance, and impact measurement 
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in a fast-paced environment 
• Strong interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement and collaboration 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of heritage sector challenges, funding landscape, and policy environment 
• Understanding of digital transformation and accessibility requirements for online resources 
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation frameworks 
• Knowledge of social impact measurement and outcome reporting 
• Familiarity with Data Protection legislation and compliance requirements 
• Understanding of partnership working and collaborative funding approaches

Application Process

To apply, please submit a CV/resume detailing your qualifications and experiences together with a cover letter (to be pasted into the box labelled 'Anything else to mention').

All applications should be submitted through our WorkSmarter vacancy page by 22 May 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted w/c 25 May to arrange interviews. We will also request that shortlisted candidates provide a portfolio of successful funding applications (anonymised as appropriate) demonstrating your track record and writing style. 

The Heritage Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.

Thank you for considering a career at The Heritage Alliance. We look forward to receiving your application!

About the Heritage Alliance 

Established in 2002, The Heritage Alliance represents the independent heritage movement in England. We have a unique role, promoting and championing the sector in all its diversity: 

We influence legislation and policy through our extensive links with Government, Parliament and Sector Networks 

We bring the sector together in our advocacy and working groups, events and publications 

We help our members grow through both member-only initiatives and broader sector support programmes with partners like the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, Media Trust and Clore Leadership. 

Our membership ranges from large bodies such as the National Trust, Historic Houses, Canal & River Trust to specialist charities and community organisations, across the breadth of sector, from museums, conservation, archaeology to science and construction. 

Context

Childhood First enables children and young people to recover from early life abuse and relational trauma, to enjoy life and to achieve their potential. We do this through the provision of specialist therapeutic residential care and treatment, together with family and network support.

Greenfields House is a specialist residential children’s home providing a programme of care, treatment and education for up to ten children aged between 5 and 13 years.

Role Description

The role of the Placement and Family Support Worker is to directly support, maintain and develop the network around the child, liaising, building relationships and communicating between multiple agencies and multi-disciplinary roles, these include, the local authority, social workers, family members, carers and significant others and the child in placement.

Within the community, the role is closely linked with each child in placement and will closely work with the Community Director and the senior management team to ensure that it meets the therapeutic and educational needs and interests of each child. This will necessarily include working closely with professionals and developing their expertise in a psychoanalytic-systemic approach to care, education and treatment.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensure that plans for the process of assessment, co-ordination and delivery of placement and family support and transition plans are developed and managed on a day-to-day basis to agreed standards.
• Co-ordinate and facilitate contact arrangements, linking with networks and families in a manner which is integrated with the community’s existing relationship and contribute to and develop its professional effectiveness.
• Contribute to the holistic assessment of needs of children, families and networks.
• Devise and develop tailored packages of support based on assessment.

We would like to hear from you if you have a Level 3 qualification or substantial work experience related to social care, social work, family support or early help. The ideal candidate will also have experience working with children, adolescents and families and have knowledge of parenting skills.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro rata)
• Health benefit package and life assurance
• Up to 6% pension contributions

Closing date: Friday, 15 May 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026

To apply Please submit your CV with a covering letter describing your suitability for this role or complete the application questions below.

Childhood First is committed to safeguarding children. We follow safer recruitment guidelines and all appointments will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS and references.

We are seeking a self-organised, motivated individual with a keen interest in mental health to join us as a Sector Development Officer (Mental Health Alliances).

The role focuses on facilitating, coordinating and encouraging collaboration across the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, with a particular emphasis on youth and adult mental health provision. This includes sharing information and opportunities, gathering sector insight, and providing tailored guidance and signposting to support effective partnership working.

Our preferred candidate will be committed to developing a strong understanding of the VCFSE and Health sectors in Cheshire East. They will be confident in networking and presenting to groups of varying sizes, and have a commitment to fostering collaboration. They will be able to present information in a variety of formats, and be able to manage and prioritise their own workload.

Further details

•     Recruitment pack: Available below

•     Closing Date: Wednesday, 27th May 2026

•     Interviews: 8th June 2026  (Crewe)

Qualified Low Intensity Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) – NHS Pathfinder Partnership

GMRC is a registered charity working with adult women who are victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.

PLEASE NOTE

This role is restricted to female applicants only under the Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR), Schedule 9 (Work; Exceptions), Part 1 (Occupational Requirements), of the Equality Act (2010)

We are seeking a qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) or Low Intensity Psychological Worker to support survivors of sexual trauma and their loved ones through evidence-based, low‑intensity psychological interventions.

You will work closely with a wide network of main contacts and partners, including PCFT GM Resilience Hub, TRC, Greater Manchester Rape Crisis, Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH), local authority partners, third‑sector organisations, multi‑disciplinary teams, service users and carers, and services across the adult mental health pathway.

The role operates across three sites within Greater Manchester, making the ability and willingness to travel between sites essential. You will work flexibly in partner organisation settings and in the community, collaborating with individuals, carers and multi‑agency providers to assess and identify social care needs that may present barriers to clients addressing their sexual trauma.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver evidence‑based, low‑intensity interventions for survivors of sexual harm and their loved ones
• Support clients through effective engagement, communication and practical coordination
• Work collaboratively with the Community Development team, counsellors and volunteers to ensure survivors can access appropriate and timely support
• Manage communication between clients, partners and services, contributing to joined‑up, trauma‑informed care
• Assist in supporting and working alongside volunteers where required

• Engage with women‑only services and partner organisations to ensure safe, inclusive and responsive support

About you

You will be a qualified and experienced practitioner with a background in mental health, trauma‑informed practice and engagement. Experience of working within women‑only services supporting those who have experienced sexual harm and their loved ones is highly valued, though we also welcome applicants with strong transferable skills.

If you’re passionate about supporting survivors, working collaboratively across complex systems, and making a meaningful difference to people’s recovery and wellbeing, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave (30 days a year exc. BH pro rata for a part time post)
• Pension contributions
• Reasonable travel expenses
• Free on-site parking

#wellbeing #wellbeing practitioner #psychological wellbeing #psychological wellbeing practitioner #wellbeing #mental health #mental health practitioner #mental wellbeing

SUMMARY

Position Title:  Community Organiser

Level: Level 2

Salary: £28, 860 (FTE yearly) Salary reviewed annually

Reports to: Community Director

Location: The Liberation Centre, Brixton, London (Our office in Brixton)/ Hybrid working with at least 2 days’ work from our office (Pro rata for part time). This role will require additional office days on a needs basis

Contract: Part-time (20hrs/weekly), fixed-term contract for 1 year with potential for extension and role expansion subject to budget

Hours: TAA has flexible working hours, with some expected evenings (e.g. one 9pm finish once every two weeks) and weekends due to the nature of the role. All extra hours are reimbursed as Time off in Lieu (TOIL).

Start date: As soon as possible (potentially July, with consideration for notice period)

Benefits:  TAA laptop (employee assistance and health cash package including staff supervision, counselling, dental, optical care and more.)

The Advocacy Academy is an activist youth movement. We serve as the political home for grassroots youth organising and the catalyst for collective action. The lives of the young people we work alongside have been directly shaped by living in an unjust world, and we exist to turn their anger into action. 

Young people are often the catalysts for major social change, from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, to the Soweto Uprising mobilising young people to resist the apartheid regime's education policies, to the Sunrise Movement redrawing the electoral map across America, and more recently encampments and protests across the world protesting the genocide in Palestine. How successfully they achieve real and lasting change depends on whether they are organised and whether they have the right strategy and tactics to be effective. 

This is why we are looking for a Community Organiser who is capable of supporting in building the leadership in young people that enables them to turn the resources they have into the power they need to make the change they want. 

Before you skim the job description, please remember you don’t have to tick all the boxes for each role to apply. Charity experience is not a requirement! We all experience a bit of imposter syndrome, including the staff here at The Advocacy Academy. Let’s name it for what it is - a manifestation of the oppression many of us face on a day to day. If this role pulls you and you believe you could make a difference, then apply anyway or reach out to us to discuss more!

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1.You will become a key member of the Communities Department, including but not limited to:

• Developing a good working relationship with community members and leaders including staff, TAA members, centre users, local residents, traders, and more
• Supporting with organising efforts in the community and in creating pathways for our members to take part in the work 

2.You will help ensure The Liberation Centre is a warm and welcoming environment, working closely with The Community Director and Head of Spacemaking to ensure our space is welcoming, accessible, and that our users are thriving in the space:

• You will coordinate our HOST Programme - You will be accountable for the development and delivery of our HOST programme, including but not limited to:
  • You will ensure our bookings system is up to date, and hold relationships with centre users 
  • You will flag and escalate Health and Safety concerns for the space to the Space Manager and work with them on operationalising problem solving in the space 
  • You will cultivate relationships with Centre users, neighbours, and visitors and encourage them to get involved in activities and feedback any and all concerns or suggestions they might put forward 
  • Support colleagues in the Operations team to ensure our Centre is a great and accessible place for staff to work from

3.You will help make The Liberation Centre a space for political education and organising by:

• Supporting the running of community spaces at TLC - including community putlocks, assemblies, trader meetings, and other TAA-held initiatives 
• Supporting the Head of Community Organising in holding and leading spaces for community action and organising - including things like ensure turnout to events, conduct 1-2-1s, assist in minute taking, follow up on actions etc 
• Supporting with capturing data on the impact of the space and feedback on space use by young people, community groups, and other partners 
• You will be supporting the running of our open access youth space Just Us on an ad hoc basis - which can include: stepping in if people are sick, helping support specific events

4.You will ensure that our community activities run like well-oiled machines by pulling in the right people at the right time and ensuring that key milestones are met:

• Contribute towards risk management standards and ensure Health and Safety standards are met across our programmatic team
• Contribute towards monitoring and evaluation standards, safeguarding practices, and other critical policies and practices within the organisation 
• Provide accurate and timely financial information to the budget lead for your work and to the Finance, HR & Operations team
• Support in the fundraising and income goals of the department by working with the Commercial team in supporting bids, building relationships, and hosting events or spaces

5.Share responsibilities for achieving our strategic objectives by upholding our vision, mission, strategy, ideology, and cultural values within your area and also across TAA, supporting on cross-departmental projects as needed:

• Embody our commitment to social and economic justice
• Role model upholding ideology, culture and value expectations across the organisation including but not limited to: leading by example across departments and during team days and role-modelling leadership, identifying new opportunities to the Community Director and to the team and identifying risks to our integrity and authenticity in relation to ideology and culture
• Ensure that you work in tandem with and in support of other team members including but not limited to: encouraging collaborations across other departments with resources as needed
• Take responsibility for communicating your own wellbeing and needs and providing feedback on TAA wellbeing initiatives to your line manager, and contribute to living the TAA culture
• Take responsibility for pursuing your own development to build knowledge and skills to fulfil your role and areas of interest

6.Governance and Compliance

• Work with the Community Director to prioritise and centre risk management in your portfolio: feeding into risk analysis and mitigation, identifying and escalating risks to the strategic objectives, taking the lead to mitigate risks early and thoroughly.
• Ensure understanding and compliance with TAA policies and practices and take the lead on their implementation within your portfolio

A BIT ABOUT YOU

• You are passionate about, and committed to, creating a more fair, just and equal world. 
• You believe in the potential of young people to challenge the status quo and are dedicated to helping them become more powerful citizens.
• You’ve got a deep understanding of, and a personal relationship with, issues of social justice. From racism to the housing crisis to climate justice, you’ll be aware of how systemic injustice operates in our society, clued-up and well-informed on the big issues of our time and committed to changing them.
• You’ll be comfortable managing a “to-do” list of competing priorities and balancing your workload to meet competing deadlines.
•  You’re a sensitive and thoughtful relationship-builder who is interested in building a network of relationships to support the Advocacy Academy’s work. You’re a great listener, and remember people’s names, faces, and stories. 
• You’re a confident written and verbal communicator, who is comfortable with tailoring communication to reach a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders.
• You’re proactive, organised, and eager to learn, whether that’s chatting with potential funders, researching new opportunities or collaborating with teammates.

IDEAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE  

• At least 2 years of experience in organising and campaigning on issues of social justice and/or 
• At least 2 years of experience in supporting young people to be more confident and comfortable developing and implementing organising or campaign efforts.
• Detail oriented 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working with different audiences or types of stakeholders 
• Project management and experience working collaboratively across teams both in person and online
• Excellent organisational skills with confidence managing multiple tasks at the same time/ balancing multiple priorities to meet deadlines
• Experience with our existing systems e.g., Gmail/ Google Doc/ Google Sheets/ Canva
• Confidence working in a fast-paced environment 
• Due to the office requirement of this role, we need the post holder to be based in London

This is an outline of the responsibilities and duties of the Community Organiser role; it is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Liberation Centre and our young people. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.

HOW TO APPLY  

Candidates will be asked to provide a CV and a Cover Letter OR a supporting video application addressing the following questions (no more than 1000 words or 10 minutes for all questions).

• Tell us about a social justice issue that makes you angry and why it matters to you?
• Our Community Organiser will support our members to organise and campaign on issues that matter to them. Tell us about an organising effort or campaign you were part of, what it achieved, what it didn’t, your role in that effort and any reflections you have about being part of it?
• Our Community Organiser will support our members to identify and act on their developing political interests, including helping them to be more confident and comfortable developing and implementing organising strategies. Tell us about a time when you helped someone learn and develop their capacity to make change in the world?
• Include anything else you would like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Community Organiser role.

In addition, please also provide information on your notice period and your availability for interview. You may also attach any other content that would be relevant for us to have in order to showcase interest and experience. The content can come in any form of media, including but not limited to - a mind map of ideas, a timeline or portfolio of your work, life or experiences; a recording; a Powerpoint or other form of presentation; a song, article, poem or other writing samples.

DATES

• Closing Date: The deadline for the applications is 25th May 2026 at 10am.
• Task: If shortlisted you may be required to complete a short-written assessment task.
• First Round of Interviews: will be scheduled for 29th May – 5th June 2026 (Dates are subject to change).
• Second Round of Interviews: will be scheduled for 11th June 2026 (Dates are subject to change).

ONLINE OPEN HOUSE

We will not be hosting an online open house for this role.However, if you have any questions about the role or are interested in hearing more about what The Advocacy Academy is about we are happy to do 15-20mins exploratory phone call. Contact us through the email indicated on the JD to indicate your interest for this.

A NOTE ON USING AI TOOLS IN YOUR APPLICATION 

We understand that AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful when preparing an application, and you’re welcome to use them as a support. However, we’re most interested in hearing directly from you. Please ensure your application reflects your own voice, experiences, and perspective.

We value the unique insights, lived experiences, and ways of thinking that each candidate brings. These are what help us understand who you are and what you would bring to the role, and they are an important part of how we assess applications.

If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please don’t hesitate to let us know. we’re committed to making our recruitment process as accessible and inclusive as possible

 NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US  

We aim to be representative of the community we are working with. We encourage applications from people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQIA, working class as well as disabled people, those living with mental health conditions, refugees and migrants. We welcome people from all identities who are made to feel marginalized.

We’re not just committed to being an equal opportunity employer, we actively celebrate diversity in all its forms. Let us know if we can do anything to make the application or interview process more accessible. If you are invited to interview, we will at that point ask you for any accessibility requirements or preferences.

As an employer we make all reasonable adjustments to support employees in their work if they are disabled or have a health condition. We support the Access to Work scheme which could provide you with financial support to get the help you need to do all tasks successfully. We are happy to facilitate Access to Work assessments and reclaims and would actively welcome applicants who would need this in order to do the job.