Policy research volunteer jobs

About the Role

We are looking for a Peer Researcher to join our Research Team. As a Peer Researcher you will be part of the project team completing service evaluation within our Day Service. You will be involved in planning and facilitating research groups, planning the practical elements of the evaluation within the Day Service and reporting on data gathered throughout the project.

This is a collaborative role, where you will work alongside other team members and our community to ensure the evaluation is impactful and inclusive.

If you have the skills and enthusiasm we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan research groups alongside research coordinator
• Co-facilitate research groups with members, staff, families and external
• Stakeholders including commissioners and health and social care professionals
• Collate data from the research groups with research coordinator
• Co-design plans for sharing the findings of the project within the Headway
• community and externally
• Co-present findings of the project within Headway London and externally

Key Relationships - Internal and External

Internal: Members and volunteers, Therapy service staff, Service managers

External: External partners, this includes, universities, community neuro
teams, integrated care boards

Other

Apply the Headway London values and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times.

Protect and enhance the interests and reputation of Headway London internally and externally.

Commit to the organisational principles of: coproduction equity, diversity and inclusion sustainability.

Headway London is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are committed to ensuring that all staff are motivated, skilled and rewarded by their work. We welcome applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age and other protected status as required by law. We promote and protect human rights; they are the foundation of what we do. We want to be an inclusive place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and contribute their unique strengths and perspectives. We are focused on equality and believe that all the fascinating characteristics that make us different, make us more able to deliver our life-changing work with passion and creativity.

About Us

For over 21 years, The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre has offered free, holistic support to anyone in our community affected by cancer through complementary therapies, talking therapies, art, and our supportive community.

In 2025 alone, we had 1,911 individual visits and 1,021 therapy sessions - entirely through the dedication of our volunteer team. We are currently renovating our new centre, and we want to use it to reach further into our community than ever before. This is the first paid role in our history.

About the Role

As our first Executive Director, you will be the single point of accountability between our Board of Trustees and the day-to-day operation of the Centre - working alongside our (voluntary) Centre Manager and (voluntary) Volunteer Manager to support their roles, not duplicate them. You'll lead our strategy delivery, guide the charity's move into its new home, and oversee a service redesign informed by a fresh programme of visitor, volunteer and community research.

About You

You already know how to do this job - you've held a senior, accountable position in a charity or comparable organisation and can bring that experience from day one. You're confident reporting to a board of trustees, comfortable getting things done, and able to win the trust of a highly experienced, long-standing volunteer team through competence and credibility, not authority alone.

Key Activity Areas

• Financial management – budgeting, financial controls, and reporting to the Board and Treasurer

• Governance & best practice – supporting trustees to discharge their statutory duties; maintaining the policy suite and risk register

• HR & people leadership – supporting our entire volunteer and therapist team; communication is key to our volunteers

• Fundraising – write and lead on a fundraising strategy, implement new funding streams and be the ‘face of Pickering’ – local networking will be essential

• Change management – leading the transition to our new centre and evolving service model with care and consultation

• Compliance – safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR, and other regulatory requirements

Qualifications - Desirable

All the below are not necessary qualifications but would assist with this role:

• CIPD qualification, or equivalent hands-on HR experience

• A recognised governance qualification (e.g. Chartered Governance Institute) or completion of a charity leadership programme or similar

• Financial management experience – a qualification would be useful but not essential

• Safeguarding lead training

Experience and Competencies — Essential

• Senior leadership experience with genuine authority and accountability in a charity or comparable mission-led organisation

• A track record of reporting to and working with a board of trustees or non-executive directors

• A track record of leading organisational change, with evidence it was genuinely adopted

• Sound financial literacy - budgets, management accounts, financial controls, dealing with auditors

• Working knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and regulatory compliance

• Excellent written and verbal communication, including board-level reporting as well as the ability to speak in public

• Experience making a leadership role pay for itself, through income generation, cost savings, or both

• A genuine, demonstrable commitment to Pickering's mission

Experience and Competencies — Desirable

• Fundraising experience across grants, trusts, community fundraising and corporate partnerships

• Experience within the cancer support, wider healthcare, or hospice sector

• Lived experience of cancer, personally or through supporting someone close to you

• Experience leading a refresh of a brand or a rebrand, service redesign, or physical relocation of services

• Familiarity with Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding local community

Safeguarding

This role involves working with adults who may be vulnerable by virtue of serious illness. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory reference checks before appointment, and will act as, or oversee, the charity's designated safeguarding lead.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Pickering is committed to equal opportunity for all and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. A copy of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy is available on request.

How to Apply

Please apply by Sunday 6 September 2026. Interviews are expected to take place w/c 14 September 2026.

An opportunity to take ownership of our learning offer, develop innovative resources and work with partners across the justice system.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 

• Identifying training, learning and development opportunities or needs 

• Developing learning resources, including e-learning and guidance documents

• Managing MA learn, the MA's learning management system (LMS) 

• Overseeing the MA's community outreach programme (Magistrates in the Community) 

• Coordinating MA input into wider magistrate training, both nationally and through representation on local training committees. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

Policy committees 

• Support the MA’s training, learning and development committee by organising regular meetings, sharing minutes and actions. 

• Propose priorities and manage programmes of work for the committee 

• Provide high-quality information to ensure that committee members and other interested parties are up to date with relevant information 

• Ensure agreed actions and decisions of the policy committees are implemented 

• Build and maintain excellent relationships with committee members 

• Provide support to committee members to enable them to effectively contribute to the work of the MA 

• Assist in the training and development of committee members 

• Agree and implement committee working practices. 

• Contribute to supporting the MA's other policy committees 

Volunteer support 

• Support  representatives in post 

• Work with magistrates to develop and coordinate learning materials 

Learning 

• Develop and upload learning resources to our learning platform. 

• Be the first point of contact for member queries about our learning platform and other training related matters 

• With the membership team, liaise with external stakeholders to plan and deliver the MA's webinar series

• Edit webinar footage and create transcripts to upload to MA learn

• Monitor learner behaviour on the MA learn and use this to inform learning development plans. 

Policy and research 

• Provide input to proposed policy and research work 

• Work with policy colleagues to translate research and policy into learning materials. 

Communications 

• Work closely with the communications team to support the delivery of the MA’s learning communications, both for members and externally 

• Ensure the accuracy of training information contained in MA communications outputs 

• Contribute to our Magistrate magazine, newsletters, website content, social media and press releases. 

Membership 

• Support the work of the MA’s membership team to recruit and retain members

• Assist in responding to members’ queries and provide up to date information about training and learning issues. 

Other duties 

• Contribute to team meetings, organisational strategy and priorities 

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting the role 

• Contribute to other organisational tasks, such as support for our webinars and events on occasion. 

GENERAL 

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not exhaustive, and staff may be required to undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

ESSENTIAL 

• Experience of using a learning management system (LMS) 

• Experience of using, or aptitude to learn, e-learning software, such as Articulate 360 

• Ability to design and develop a variety of online learning resources 

• Experience of project management 

• Ability to organise and prioritise your own workload and a strong attention to detail 

• Ability to assimilate and understand complex information and explain complex issues clearly 

• Ability to produce clear, concise proposals, papers and other written communications

• Ability to communicate effectively, diplomatically and persuasively with a wide range of people 

• Ability to establish personal credibility with a range of stakeholders 

• Ability to work effectively under pressure 

• A creative and practical approach to problem solving and the ability to provide sound reasons to support proposed solutions 

• Excellent networking skills. 

DESIRABLE 

• Training qualification (Level 3 or above and/or equivalent professional training experience) 

• Experience of working with/managing a committee 

• Knowledge of the workings of magistrates' courts 

• Experience of working in a membership organisation 

• Experience of supporting volunteers remotely. 

We are entering a period of unprecedented opportunity. Advances in treatment, increasing recognition of the condition, and growing awareness of healthcare inequalities provide a unique chance to strengthen our impact and expand our reach across the UK. Our ambition is bold: to engage and support at least 50% of the UK myasthenia community as members within the next five years, creating a movement that is representative, influential and impossible to ignore.

The successful candidate will lead the development of a thriving national community of people affected by myasthenia, ensuring that individuals and families feel connected, represented and empowered. They will transform community insight into meaningful campaigns, influence policy and healthcare decision-making, and position myaware as the authoritative voice for everyone affected by the condition.

Success in this role will be measured not only by influence and campaigning outcomes, but by the growth, engagement and mobilisation of our community. The Director will play a central role in delivering our ambition to reach, engage and retain 50% of the UK's myasthenia population as members and active supporters within five years, creating a change-maker movement that is representative of our goals.

Key Responsibilities

Community Growth and Engagement

• Contribute towards the development and delivery of a comprehensive membership growth strategy aimed at engaging at least 50% of the UK myasthenia community within five years.
• Build a deep understanding of the patient journey and identify opportunities to connect with people from diagnosis onwards.
• Lead the development of services, programmes and engagement approaches that increase membership recruitment, retention and participation.
• Ensure that people affected by myasthenia are at the heart of all organisational decisions, campaigns and strategic priorities.
• Create pathways for members, volunteers, supporters and ambassadors to actively contribute to myaware's work.
• Use data, insight and market intelligence to measure community reach, identify underserved groups and drive continuous improvement.

Campaigning, Policy and Influence

• Develop and implement a national campaigning and influencing strategy focused on awareness, equity of care, access to treatment and service improvement.
• Position myaware as a leading voice within healthcare, policy and rare disease discussions across the UK.
• Build strategic relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, NHS organisations, Integrated Care Boards, NICE, clinicians, researchers, industry partners and allied charities.
• Lead public affairs activity, including consultation responses, parliamentary engagement, policy briefings and stakeholder events.
• Ensure lived experience evidence informs policy development, healthcare decision-making and treatment access discussions.

Organisational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and contribute to organisational strategy and performance.
• Foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, collaboration and measurable impact.
• Work closely with fundraising, communications, partnerships, and service delivery colleagues to maximise organisational reach and effectiveness.

Awareness and Public Engagement

• Increase awareness and understanding of myasthenia among healthcare professionals, policymakers, media and the public.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen myaware's visibility, reputation and influence.
• Support the development of compelling campaigns, media activity and storytelling that inspire engagement and drive action.
• To be the spokesperson for myaware.

What Success Looks Like

Within five years, the postholder will have:

• Led significant growth in membership, progressing towards engaging at least 50% of the UK's myasthenia community.
• Increased participation in surveys, campaigns, events, volunteering and lived-experience activities.
• Established myaware as the recognised national voice for people affected by myasthenia.
• Secured meaningful influence in policy, healthcare and treatment access discussions.
• Generated evidence of improvements in awareness, service delivery, treatment access and patient representation.
• Built a highly engaged and empowered community capable of driving change at local, national and system levels.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, healthcare, membership, public affairs or advocacy sectors.
• Proven success in growing and engaging communities, memberships, movements or supporter bases at scale.
• Experience developing and delivering campaigning, influencing or public affairs strategies that have achieved measurable outcomes.
• Strong track record of building relationships with senior external stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Experience using data, insight and lived experience to shape organisational priorities and influence strategy.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Outstanding strategic thinking and leadership abilities.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong understanding of community mobilisation, supporter engagement and membership growth.
• Ability to translate complex healthcare and policy issues into compelling public narratives and calls to action.
• Strong analytical and performance management skills.
• Commitment to inclusion, co-production and patient-centred approaches.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Ambitious about building one of the UK's most engaged rare disease communities.
• Passionate about amplifying the voices of people with lived experience.
• Collaborative and inspiring.
• Politically astute and credible with senior stakeholders.
• Resilient, innovative and outcomes focused.
• Motivated by creating lasting change for people living with long-term health conditions.

Why Join Us?

myaware is the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to the care and support of people affected by myasthenia. 

This is a rare opportunity to build a community movement capable of transforming lives. You will lead the growth of a national membership community, shape policy and healthcare conversations, and help ensure that every person affected by myasthenia feels informed, supported, represented and connected.

Together, we aim to ensure that within five years, at least half of everyone living with myasthenia in the UK knows, trusts and actively engages with myaware as their community, their advocate and their voice.

We are working hard to raise awareness of myasthenia, as it is a little-known condition. We provide support for people with myasthenia and their families, whilst offering advice and tips for living with the condition. 

We also fund the research that brings us closer to finding a cure as well as funding specialists nurses and advisors. 

Members of myaware have full access to a wide range of support services and events including our specialist benefits and welfare advisor. 

myaware supports people with myasthenia and their families.  We campaign for better medical services for people with myasthenia and work to inform medical professionals. 

The myasthenias are a group of neuromuscular conditions. They are rare but also manageable and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or nationality. Myasthenia gravis, ocular myasthenia and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome are autoimmune conditions whereas congenital myasthenic syndrome is caused by an inherited genetic fault. It is thought that there are approximately 20,000 people currently living with myasthenia in the UK. 

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance
• Perkbox account (global benefits and rewards platform)
• Group Life Assurance after 6 months of service 
• NEST workplace pension scheme
• Free inhouse staff benefits and welfare advice 
• Investment in your personal and professional development
• Annual salary review

Application instructions

Candidates should submit their CV and tailored covering letter by: 11:30pm on Friday.4th September

Provisional interview dates will be week commencing: 28.9.26

Interviews will be held over Microsoft Teams.

Applications submitted without a tailored cover letter will not be considered.

This post, due to its nature, duties and responsibilities, will be subject to an enhanced check by the DBS. This is funded by myaware.

This organisation supports anonymous recruitment. That means hiding your personal identifying information, removing bias from the hiring process.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

Lead change. Shape policy. Amplify the voices of bereaved families.

Child Bereavement UK is looking for an accomplished Head of Policy & Research to lead our evidence and policy agenda at a pivotal time for the charity.

You'll bring a strong track record of leading policy and research activity, developing influential partnerships, and translating evidence into meaningful change. With an established understanding of the policy landscape and the credibility to engage senior stakeholders across health, social care, government and the voluntary sector, you'll play a key role in shaping policy and practice for bereaved families across the UK.

You'll lead our research programme, develop evidence-based positions, build strategic partnerships, and ensure the experiences of bereaved children, young people and parents bereaved of a baby or child are reflected in policy and practice across the UK.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience and established networks in policy and research.
• Can translate complex evidence into compelling recommendations for change.
• Is an exceptional relationship-builder, communicator and strategic thinker.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for bereaved children, young people and parents.

This is a rare opportunity to shape national conversations, influence decision-makers and ensure lived experience is at the heart of policy and practice.

Please note, the role will involve regular travel to London based conferences, events and network meetings as required, plus occasional travel to team meetings in Birmingham.

Join us and help create lasting change for bereaved families across the UK.

Youth Employment UK is seeking a Senior Policy Officer to join our Policy and Research department at an important moment for youth employment policy.

The Senior Policy Officer will strengthen Youth Employment UK’s policy and insight capacity by helping gather, analyse and communicate evidence from young people, employers, members and the wider youth employment system.

Working with the Policy and Research Director, the role will support Youth Employment UK to develop high-quality policy positions, recommendations, briefings and reports, and to strengthen our reputation as a leading source of insight and practical solutions for youth employment.

This is a policy-focused role with strong research literacy. It is not a technical academic research post, but the postholder will need to be confident in interpreting evidence, drawing out implications, writing clearly, and translating insight into practical recommendations for different audiences.

Summary of responsibilities

• Monitor, analyse and respond to youth employment-related policy developments through written briefings, articles, guidance and formal evidence submissions. 

• Support the development of Youth Employment UK policy positions, recommendations and messages

• Work with Youth Ambassadors and young people to gather insight that informs policy positions, reports and recommendations

• Support delivery of our Youth Voice Census by writing up findings for a wide range of audiences

• Support Youth Employment UK’s Good Youth Employment Benchmark by conducting employer interviews and writing employer-facing reports.

• Support Youth Employment UK’s public affairs activity, including APPG, Connected Communities and other policy forums.

• Work closely with the Policy and Research Director, Policy and Research Coordinator and wider team in an agile, fast-paced working environment 

About you

We are looking for someone with strong policy judgement, excellent writing skills, professional curiosity and a commitment to improving systems for young people. 

You will bring:

• Experience in policy, public affairs, research, youth employment, education, skills, employment support, social policy or a related area

• Research literacy and confidence working with evidence, data, reports and lived experience insight

• Ability to turn complex information into clear briefings, recommendations and practical outputs

• Confidence in engaging with a range of stakeholders, such as young people, employers, members, policymakers, charities, NGOs, think tanks or public bodies.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication to a wide range of audiences 

• A high level of self and project management skill, able to work effectively as part of a team and independently 

• A clear passion for improving education, employment and transitions outcomes for young people through policy activity. 

A full overview of responsibilities in the role and person criteria can be seen in the attached job description. 

What we will provide to you

• Competitive salary.

• Standard company pension.

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 26 days after 12 months’ service.

• 2 volunteering days per year.

• 2 additional wellbeing days per year.

• Onsite parking, available on a first come, first served basis.

• Personal development opportunities.

• Free breakfast and lunch options when in the office.

• Team activities and events.

• Dog-friendly office.

Please note that this is a full-time (37.5 hour) role, with some flexibility over working hours. Our main office is in Kettering, right next to the train station. However, we are open to discussing remote and hybrid working arrangements with the right candidate. 

We’re looking for someone who makes things happen

We’re looking for a proactive, curious and practical research and evaluation leader who spots opportunities, builds partnerships, and helps us turn lived experience into evidence that improves services, influences policy and drives change.

The Hepatitis C Trust is one of the UK’s biggest lived-experience organisations working in Inclusion Health. With almost 500 staff and volunteers, our teams work in communities and prisons across England, and in parts of Scotland and Wales, reaching people that mainstream health services routinely struggle to engage.

This gives us a unique reach among populations whose voices are too often missing from research, policy and service design.

Our research and evaluation programme aims to:

• Evidence the impact of our programmes and services.
• Understand what works, and what doesn’t, in improving outcomes for marginalised and excluded communities.
• Strengthen our understanding of the value and potential of peer-led and lived experience approaches.
• Improve the representation of excluded populations in research, policy and service design.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a strong background in research and evaluation, including both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Is proactive, self-directed and comfortable taking ownership of projects.
• Has experience of generating evidence that informs policy, practice or service improvement.
• Is excited by the potential of lived experience and peer-led approaches.
• Builds strong relationships and enjoys working collaboratively.
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Is committed to equity, inclusion and social justice.

Why this role?

You’ll have genuine autonomy to help shape a growing research and evaluation function within one of the UK’s leading lived-experience organisations. Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to generate evidence that changes services, influences policy and improves outcomes for some of the most marginalised communities in society.

Recruitment timetable

Application deadline: 11:59 PM on Sunday 23rd August

First-round interviews: 7-8 September 2026

Salary: £38-40k

The role can be full-time or part-time, depending on the successful candidate’s availability. Ideally, you’ll work from our London office at least two days a week, although we can be flexible for the right person.

The Hepatitis C Trust is committed to equity and inclusion, and particularly welcomes applications from people with lived experience of hepatitis C, drug use, homelessness, the criminal justice system, or other experiences of social exclusion.

Head of Research and Engagement

Salary: £34,032 pro rata for 21 hours per week (£56,720 FTE)

Letchworth Garden City/ home working (hybrid)

Part time (21 hours a week)

Permanent

Flexible working considered

Lead research, insight and engagement that helps shape better MS care. If you are an experienced neurology or MS healthcare professional with strong leadership, research and stakeholder skills, this is an opportunity to turn evidence and lived experience into action for people affected by MS.

Join our friendly team
We are looking for someone who can bring people together around evidence, insight and improvement. You will be confident working with health professionals, researchers and external partners, and able to translate findings into clear, practical outputs that support better services and care. You will bring strong communication, project management and analytical skills, with the ability to lead a small portfolio and build trusted relationships across the MS community.

Our charity
The MS Trust is a UK charity which is here to help everyone make sense of MS. We are here for everyone affected by MS, from the moment of diagnosis and throughout their journey. We're here today, tomorrow and every day after that.

The role
Head of Research and Engagement: This is a senior and varied role where you will lead and oversee our research grants, MS service mapping, supported research and Helpline. Working closely with the Director of Services, you will set priorities, manage key roles, develop stakeholder relationships and make sure our research and mapping findings are shared clearly, accurately and accessibly. You will help strengthen our engagement with the NHS, professional bodies and partners, ensuring our work is rooted in real experience and has practical impact for people with MS.

What we can offer

· 28 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays, which increases with length of service to 30 days.

· Company pension with enhanced employer contribution. Salary Sacrifice scheme available.

· Death in Service benefit.

· Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.

· Sick pay.

· Hybrid working.

· Employee assistance Programme

· Fantastic office location with free parking, local to town centre and train station. Good transport links to London and Cambridge.

· Learning and development policy to develop all staff.

· Cycle to work scheme, Volunteering day and Season ticket loans.

To find out more and apply

Please visit our website to download a job pack and application form (CVs will not be considered).

As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), we appreciate your time completing the form, as this allows us to keep our recruitment process fair and neutral.

Closing date: 1 September 2026 at 9.00am

First Interviews: 17 September 2026

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Role Description

Working closely with colleagues and project partners, the Volunteer Manager will lead the recruitment, training, development and management of volunteers across the Cathedral and Abbey site as part of the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The postholder will develop and implement a comprehensive volunteering strategy, ensuring volunteers are recruited safely, supported effectively and equipped with the skills to deliver a wide range of roles. The role will promote an inclusive volunteering culture, strengthen partnerships and ensure volunteers make a meaningful contribution to the Cathedral, the Abbey site and the wider heritage project.

About Our Volunteers

Volunteers are at the heart of Cathedral life and make an invaluable contribution to worship, welcome, learning, heritage, visitor engagement and events. Current volunteer opportunities are wide and varied, including Bell Ringers, Guides, Flower Arrangers, Shop Volunteers, Learning Volunteers, Sunday Morning Coffee Volunteers, St Ed's Singers, Gardeners, Young Families Volunteers, Servers, Events Volunteers, Vergers and Welcome and Information Volunteers. The Volunteer Manager will support these established teams while developing new opportunities as the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project progresses.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Strategy and Leadership

• Develop, implement and review the Cathedral's Volunteering Strategy.
• Lead the development of a sustainable volunteer programme.
• Ensure volunteering reflects sector best practice and supports the Cathedral's strategic objectives.
• Build strong working relationships with volunteer team leaders and provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for volunteers.

Recruitment, Induction and Volunteer Management

• Lead the recruitment, induction and ongoing management of volunteers across a wide range of roles.
• Ensure all volunteer recruitment complies with Church of England Safer Recruitment principles, including references and DBS checks where required.
• Develop and maintain volunteer role descriptions in partnership with volunteer team leaders.
• Maintain an accurate volunteer database, matching volunteers' skills and interests with organisational needs.
• Produce, maintain and regularly review the Volunteer Handbook.
• Receive volunteer feedback, concerns and ideas, escalating issues where appropriate.

Training and Development

• Design, coordinate and deliver volunteer induction, training and ongoing development programmes.
• Identify opportunities for volunteers to develop new skills.
• Ensure safeguarding and mandatory training remains current and accurately recorded.
• Regularly review volunteer practices to maintain high standards of service and visitor experience.

Inclusion, Engagement and Communications

• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility throughout the volunteer programme.
• Develop recruitment approaches that encourage applications from underrepresented communities and remove barriers to participation.
• Implement an effective volunteer communications plan to keep volunteers informed, engaged and recognised.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager to promote volunteering opportunities and celebrate volunteer achievements. Key Responsibilities

Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with partners including English Heritage, Historic England, West Suffolk Council and local organisations to ensure a consistent and positive volunteer experience across the Cathedral, Abbey and wider heritage site.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with community organisations across the region.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Budget Management

• Collect, monitor and analyse volunteer data, including volunteer numbers, hours and feedback.
• Support project evaluation and reporting requirements for the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project.
• Produce regular reports identifying trends, achievements and future opportunities.
• Prepare and manage the volunteer budget, monitoring expenditure and reporting against forecasts.

Visitor Experience

• Ensure volunteers contribute to an outstanding visitor experience for all users of the Cathedral, including worshippers, pilgrims, tourists and event attendees.
• Support volunteers in presenting a welcoming, professional and inclusive image of the Cathedral in all interactions with visitors and stakeholders.

General Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to the Cathedral's values, mission and inclusive culture.
• Work collaboratively with clergy, staff, volunteers and the wider congregation.
• Comply with all organisational policies relating to safeguarding, health and safety, equality, data protection and other statutory requirements.
• Work flexibly, including occasional evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. Time off in lieu will normally be provided, with overtime payable for agreed external events where applicable.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Chief Operating Officer.

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

• Managing volunteers across a range of roles using recognised best practice.
• Developing and implementing volunteer strategies, policies and procedures.
• Recruiting, inducting, training and supporting volunteers.
• Working successfully with paid staff and volunteers. Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on projects or programmes.
• Developing partnerships with community organisations, charities or public bodies.
• Leading teams within a visitor-focused environment.
• Line management, partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
• Working with diverse communities and promoting inclusive participation.

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Ability to influence, motivate and build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively within a heritage, commercial and place of worship environment.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Personal Attributes

• Understanding of the Cathedral's role as a place of worship, welcome, heritage and community engagement.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Collaborative, approachable and committed to excellent visitor and volunteer experiences.
• High Emotional Intelligence

Desirable Qualities

• Experience within a cathedral, church or heritage organisation.
• Background in heritage, tourism, hospitality or the cultural sector.
• Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Awareness of the ministry, mission and civic role of the Church of England and its cathedrals

Are you an experienced fundraising or prospect researcher looking for your next career opportunity? Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH) is seeking a Senior Fundraising Researcher to deliver strategically aligned research that identifies new high-value prospects and senior volunteer opportunities in support of our ambitious fundraising appeals.

This position is a fixed term contract for 12 months.

Salary
The salary for this position is £42,455 pro rata and we operate a hybrid working policy of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.

In line with our EDI strategy and Total Reward policy, we calculate our salaries based on benchmarking data across the charity sector. To ensure fairness for existing staff and new joiners, we do not offer salaries above the advertised rate. 

Key Responsibilities

• Producing high-quality research profiles, insights and tailored briefings for our Philanthropy, Corporate Partnerships and Special Events fundraising teams.
• Leading and delivering robust due diligence casework on high-value supporters and senior volunteers, communicating findings clearly and professionally to inform decision-making around risk, reputation and compliance.
• Conducting market insight, sector analysis and horizon scanning to help shape strategy for high-value and global fundraising activity.
• Ensuring high standards of data management, governance and regulatory compliance, and supporting fundraising colleagues to maintain best practice in data handling and prospect management.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We’re looking for a dynamic and strategic research professional with:

• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking and research skills.
• Significant experience in a prospect or fundraising research role within the not-for-profit sector or in a directly comparable environment with highly transferable skills (e.g. corporate intelligence, financial services, consultancy, journalism or risk analysis).
• Demonstrable experience delivering structured due diligence casework, ideally within a complex or international context.
• Experience operating in, or supporting, fundraising or stakeholder engagement within a global environment, including researching international individuals, corporates and philanthropic markets.
• Proficiency with a wide range of research, risk, compliance and business intelligence tools.
• The ability to build strong internal relationships and work collaboratively with senior stakeholders.

Please refer to the full role profile for more information.

DBS - a basic DBS check is required for this role.

About The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) is an independent membership organisation dedicated to the education, training and advancement of surgeons, dental surgeons, doctors, and various individuals throughout healthcare who are involved in the surgical care of patients. The College has a current membership approaching 33,000 and growing, with members spanning over 100 countries around the world. From our founding in 1505, the College has been committed to the advancement of surgery and driving patient safety standards worldwide. In our 520 year history, there has never been a better time to join the College than now.

Working with us

At the College we aim to embrace views from across the organisation, sharing common goals and values for the betterment of healthcare through the advancement of surgical and dental professionals. We aim to develop teams that are reflective of the needs of our members and maximise the potential of every employee. To reflect the varying needs across the organisation, we offer a range of policies and benefits for our workforce including 42 day annual leave, flexible working practices, enhanced employer pensions contribution and various discounts throughout the College including the Ten Hill Place Hotel, 1505 Café and free entry to Surgeons' Hall Museums.

About the Role

Surgeons' Hall Museum holds a complex medical human remains collection, one of the largest and most significant of its kind in the world. Much of the collection was acquired before modern standards of consent and documentation, and the records that survive were shaped around pathology, diagnosis and the interests of those who assembled the collection rather than the individuals represented within it.

This two year project will improve what the Museum knows about this collection, including the people in it. Working through historic catalogues, medical case notes, College and Museum minutes and archival records, you will investigate origins, acquisition contexts and life histories of these people, and integrate your findings into the Museum's Collections Management System. Your research will inform catalogue records, future interpretation and displays, published listings, and the Museum's preparedness for any future return of collections.

In March 2026, the College’s Trustees approved a new Human Remains in Collections Policy, developed with an expert panel drawn from across the UK and Ireland, committing the Museum to provenance research, transparency, community engagement and readiness for return. This post directly supports the work to put this policy into practice.

You will report to the Curator and be supported by the Museum's Provenance Research Working Group, which brings together colleagues from collections, conservation, archives, learning and senior leadership, including a specialist Human Remains Conservator. This work involves sustained engagement with sensitive and sometimes distressing material, and supervision, peer support and training are built into the post.

In the final six months you will work on site with three Scottish university medical collections in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, reviewing and enhancing their documentation, and will offer short consultancy visits to smaller Scottish museums holding human remains. The project concludes with a publication and a national conference at Surgeons' Hall, sharing the methods and findings across the sector.

The role is based in Edinburgh, with travel to partner institutions in the final phase. Reasonable travel and accommodation costs are met by the project.

Experience, Qualifications and Key Skills

You will be educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, such as history, anthropology, archaeology, medicine, pathology or museum studies, or hold equivalent professional experience, and have proven experience conducting research using historical records, archives or museum collections. You will understand the ethical issues surrounding human remains in museum or academic contexts and be comfortable working with confidential or ethically complex material. You will have experience working with collections databases and digital cataloguing systems such as Axiell or equivalent and be familiar with documentation standards and terminology audits.

You will have excellent analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to manage large volumes of complex data, and the ability to produce high quality written outputs including reports, summaries and catalogue entries. You will be self-motivated, able to plan and carry out independent research, and a clear and confident communicator in both verbal and written formats. Experience of provenance research, knowledge of UK museum policies relating to human remains and repatriation, or experience working with medical, anatomical, ethnographical, or archaeological human remains collections would be advantageous.

This role may particularly appeal to those who want to work on collections of real ethical complexity and see their findings shape policy, practice and public understanding.

Our thanks

This project, Recovering Histories: The McNab Human Remains Provenance Research Project, is made possible by Museums Galleries Scotland and by a generous legacy from John Winton McNab. We are grateful to both for backing work that is complex, long-term and genuinely needed.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

• A current CV (maximum two A4 pages); and

• A supporting statement (maximum two A4 pages) outlining your interest in the role and demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the person specification.

Passionate about using research to make a real difference? Salford CVS is looking for a Research and Insight Worker to help deliver impactful research projects that amplify the voices of local communities and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across Salford and Greater Manchester.

You'll gather and analyse data, work directly with community groups and VCSE organisations, and turn insight into high-quality reports that influence decision-making and drive positive change. If you're an organised, confident communicator who enjoys working with people and is motivated by social impact, we'd love to hear from you. 

Main purposes of the post

To deliver Salford CVS’s research and insight work, which includes the collection and analysis of data and producing timely written reports of the findings. This exciting Research and Insight role involves a combination of VCSE engagement and community insight work across Salford and in Greater Manchester.

Hours: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week.

Days: To be confirmed (core hours are worked between 8am – 6pm, Monday to Friday).

Contract: 1-year fixed-term contract, subject to the successful completion of a 3-month probationary period.

Place of work: In person at Salford CVS’ offices, The Old Town Hall, 5 Irwell Place, Eccles, Salford, M30 0FN.

The Benefits of Working for Salford CVS:

• 28 days’ holiday - rising to 30 days (after five years), plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time)
• Enhanced company sick and maternity pay, subject to terms and conditions of service
• Pension scheme - with 7% employer contribution (and 1% mandatory employee contribution)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Membership of the Hospital Saturday Fund via an employer subsidised scheme (optional and non-contractual)
• RHS family membership (optional and non-contractual)
• Development opportunities - we support and encourage our staff to progress in their careers (including formal training)
• A supportive working culture - we respect and support one another to do the best we can

We are an accredited Living Wage Employer, Living Hours Employer and Living Wage Funder, ensuring not just our staff are paid the ‘real’ Living Wage but also that any projects we fund can do the same.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the ‘apply’ button.

Closing date: Noon on Wednesday, 26th August 2026.

Interviews: Tuesday, 8th September 2026 - in person at Salford CVS’ offices.

We are seeking an exceptional advocate with a policy, legal or related digital rights campaigning background to work with us furthering privacy and civil liberties in the UK at one of the UK’s leading rights NGOs. Initially, this role will be principally challenging facial recognition surveillance and scrutinising police surveillance/AI powers.

The right Senior Advocacy Officer will help us to lobby UK Parliament to further privacy and wider rights at a critical time – when a legal framework on police use of facial recognition is very soon to be introduced, and police are expanding their use of AI and new surveillance technologies. You’ll build on your strong experience to be a credible and proactive lobbyist in Parliament, write expert briefings and be confident meeting parliamentarians, take a leading role liaising with policy stakeholders, advise on strategic litigation, be a leading advocate in the press and the public forum, develop policy positions on key issues, and help drive our public campaigns for change.

About you

You’ll have 3+ years experience in a legal or policy capacity, or in a comparable advocacy environment that relied on your expertise on technology and rights issues – ideally involving facial recognition. You’ll have a strong track record of advocacy success.

You’ll be familiar with key litigation and policy issues in the area. You’ll also have excellent knowledge of British politics and UK parliamentary procedures and strong political contacts to match.

You’ll be at ease working on a strictly non-partisan, cross-party basis and grounding policy analysis in human rights and liberal principles.

You’ll be proactive in pitching policy, litigation and campaign ideas for the organisation to pursue within our work streams.

You’ll be an experienced spokesperson, confident undertaking live and recorded TV and radio interviews, talking to a variety of audiences and representing the organisation and our campaigns.

If you’re committed to Big Brother Watch’s mission, we’d like to hear from you.

Senior Advocacy Officer job description

Policy

• Produce policy analysis, research, briefings and reports for dissemination

• Develop strategic policy recommendations informed by expertise

• Identify and explore new and emerging policy issues in our key work areas

• Communicate complex policy issues to varied audiences, whether Parliament, the press or the public

• Build strong relationships with parliamentarians and advisors across all parties

• Identify opportunities to further our strategic aims in Parliament, through committees, parliamentary questions and other activities; as well as regional assemblies and on occasion local government

• Work with stakeholders and pursue collaborative campaigns/coalitions on key issues

• Develop Big Brother Watch’s relationships with allies across Government, legislative bodies, international organisations, and NGOs

• Draft formal correspondence, blog posts, presentations, and other documents articulating Big Brother Watch’s policy positions

Advocacy

• Identify campaigns and advocacy opportunities, and feed into campaign plans and materials

• Write articles and give quotes to press

• Give pre-recorded and live interviews for TV and radio

• Uphold Big Brother Watch’s reputational excellence in public fora

• Help manage media enquiries (our 24/7 media phone is handled on a staff rota system)

Legal

• Help co-ordinate Big Brother Watch’s strategic litigation where appropriate, liaising with external lawyers

• Manage relationships with external counsel & build strong relationships with partners

• Produce legal and policy analysis and identify strategic litigation opportunities

Person specification

Essential

• Min. 3+ years experience in a similar role

• Familiarity/expertise with domestic policy matters relating to privacy, surveillance and/or free expression

• Strong legal and/or policy research skills

• Excellent and persuasive communications skills

• Demonstrable experience in privacy, freedom of expression, and other rights and technology areas

• Aptitude for managing and building relationships with partner organisations, parliamentarians and other stakeholders

• Proven ability to produce high quality work under pressure

• Creativity and energy in approaching a workload consisting of large long-term projects

• Willingness to work in non-partisan environment, and ability to recruit support of MPs across all parties

Desirable

• A track record of successful advocacy experience

• Experience of involvement in litigation, either in a legal or campaigns capacity

• Experience working with parliamentarians and/or producing policy briefings

• Project management experience

• Familiarity with relevant UK surveillance laws, human rights frameworks, and relevant case law

Big Brother Watch

Big Brother Watch is a UK civil liberties campaign group fighting for a free future. We’re determined to reclaim our privacy and defend freedoms at this time of enormous technological change. And we fight to win.

We’re a fiercely independent, diverse, non-partisan and non-profit group of campaigners and researchers who work to roll back the surveillance state and protect rights in Parliament, the media or the courts if we have to. We publish unique investigations and pursue powerful public campaigns to pursue real change. We work relentlessly to inform and empower the public to collectively reclaim privacy, defend our civil liberties and protect freedoms for the future.

We’re a small, dedicated and highly effective team of 8 staff and 7 volunteers.