Policy and research assistant jobs

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Youth Development Worker to join our team. This role will lead and develop our youth work offer across the 4 villages area of North Bristol (Lawrence Weston, Shirehampton, Sea Mills and Avonmouth).

We’re looking for an individual who has a passion and flair for supporting young people, promoting a sense of inclusion and belonging. The right candidate will have experience of both targeted and open access provision and a desire to enable young people to promote their voice and views to shape the future of youth work in the area.

The successful post holder must have:

· Good standard of basic education, including English and Maths Level 2

· Level 3 or equivalent in youth work

· Experience of leading and developing youth programmes (both open access and targeted)

· Ability to build long lasting, positive relationships with both young people and adults

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing national organisation, making a real difference to communities on a local level. As part of the package, Oasis offers:

· A pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution

· A generous holiday allowance

· Working as part of a friendly, community-minded team of professionals

If you are interested in being part of this service, then please:

To apply, please apply via Charity Jobs or see details on our website.

Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualification you have, that relate to the job description and person specification.

Completed applications should be returned by 9am Monday 19th January 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 26th January 2026.

The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas. We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. 

If you require assistance or adjustments to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE POST

This strategic and outward-facing role will be instrumental in expanding the School’s network of supporters and maximising philanthropic income as we celebrate our Centenary in 2026. The postholder will take a leading role in identifying, cultivating, and securing new major donor relationships - building a strong and sustainable pipeline of prospects capable of making transformational gifts to support the School’s vision and long-term priorities as it seeks to uphold its global standing as a centre of performance excellence in classical dance from London base.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced development professional to play a pivotal part in shaping the School’s next chapter. Working closely with senior leadership, the postholder will design and deliver innovative engagement strategies to attract new supporters, deepen relationships with key prospects, and communicate the School’s impact and ambitions with clarity and passion. The role requires a proactive and strategic relationship-builder with the confidence to engage high-level individuals and the insight to convert interest into enduring philanthropic partnerships in support of the future of the performing arts at the highest level.

CONTRACT TERMS

Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Location: Upper School, Covent Garden

Start Date: March/April 2026

Annual Leave: 30 days per annum

MAIN DUTIES

Donor Cultivation and Relationship Management

• Build and nurture strong, long-term relationships with new and existing supporters through personalised engagement strategies informed by the Head of Development
• Represent the School at meetings, events, presentations and functions to cultivate connections with prospective donors
• Collaborate with senior leadership and the Donor Relations Team to ensure high-level donors are onboarded seamlessly and receive tailored stewardship and recognition.

Strategic Fundraising Planning

• Develop and implement strategies to attract new major donors, aligning with the School’s fundraising priorities for UK in-year activity, as well as USA and Asia development
• Work with senior leadership to set fundraising targets, track progress, and report on performance across each giving level prioritising annual donations of £50k+ per annum.

Proposal Preparation

• Collaborate with content, communications and marketing team colleagues to create compelling materials that articulate the School’s mission and strategic priorities
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of fundraising campaigns, events, and initiatives to engage, cultivate and convert prospective supporters.

Prospect Research and Identification

• Maintain and update the active prospects pipeline, ensuring all opportunities are tracked and appropriately prioritized with touchpoints and assigned relationship leads
• Contribute to the invitations tracker to ensure all prospects are engaged with in a systemised and relevant way according to location, interest, propensity to give.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Analysis

• Maintain accurate records of donor engagement and interactions in the CRM system improving and refining systems and processes as part of a growing department
• Monitor progress against fundraising targets, providing regular reports and insights to senior leadership on pipeline value from identification to stewardship stages
• Analyse donor trends, sector insights and curate feedback to refine engagement strategies.

Team Collaboration and Leadership

• Work closely with colleagues across Development and the Senior Leadership Team as well as Artistic and Academic staff to refine the propositions and align fundraising priorities
• Host year-round events with the Development Team to enable all prospect engagement
• Mentor and support junior staff involved in development activities where appropriate.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience in donor cultivation and relationship management - Demonstrated success in building and sustaining 5 and 6 figure annual relationships with major donors and key stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and project management skills - Capacity to manage multiple donor relationships, events/projects, and fundraising initiatives simultaneously, while maintaining attention to detail in a dynamic office environment.
• Strong strategic fundraising expertise - Ability to design, implement, and evaluate fundraising strategies that align with institutional priorities and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Skilled at engaging and influencing diverse audiences through persuasive written and verbal communication, including at senior levels.
• Proficiency in proposal and campaign development - Experience preparing compelling fundraising proposals, campaign materials, and event strategies that inspire donor support.
• Analytical and reporting skills - Ability to monitor, interpret, and report on fundraising performance, donor trends, and engagement metrics using CRM and data analysis tools.
• Collaborative teamwork - Proven ability to work effectively across departments and with senior leadership, collaborating with colleagues to achieve shared goals.
• Ethical commitment and alignment with institutional values - Demonstrated integrity, discretion, and commitment to advancing the mission and values of the School through responsible fundraising practices.

Desirable Criteria:

• A knowledge and appreciation of ballet, the arts, performance, elite sport
• Understanding of 501c3 and Endowment Fund structures
• Previous experience of using Salesforce.

SAFEGUARDING DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and recognises that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment to children’s safeguarding and to share this child-centred approach. This approach means that staff must consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Additionally, the following is expected of all staff:

• To uphold the School’s policies relating to safeguarding and child protection, behaviour, health and safety and all other relevant policies
• To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and come into contact with
• To report any safeguarding concerns using the relevant channels, such as informing the Designated Safeguarding Lead, in a timely and appropriate manner
• To ensure full compliance with all statutory regulations, particularly the most recent Keeping Children Safe in Education, and to communicate concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, other relevant staff of The Royal Ballet School or local children’s services as appropriate.

This job information cannot be all encompassing. It is inevitable over time that the emphasis of the job will change without changing the general character of the job or the level of duties and responsibilities entailed. Consequently, this information will be periodically reviewed, revised and updated in consultation with the post holder to reflect appropriate changes.

We are committed to creating an environment where all our employees feel part of our team and can flourish, regardless of their background. We’re proud to be an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.

Lead projects, partnerships & plans to restore rivers and inspire communities. Make a real impact on river health!

The Senior Catchment Officer role is at the heart of what we do at the South East Rivers Trust (SERT). You’ll lead collaborative, evidence-based action to improve river health, bringing together communities and stakeholders to tackle catchment challenges and deliver nature-based solutions.

Working predominantly on the River Stour in Kent, this role combines project leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. You’ll:

• Develop and deliver river restoration, pollution prevention, natural flood management, and citizen science projects.
• Host and coordinate Catchment Partnerships, ensuring inclusive, effective collaboration.
• Lead the development of a Catchment Plan for the Stour, shaping priorities for the next five years and linking with strategic decision-making and funding.
• Secure funding, build project pipelines, and mentor junior colleagues.

About you

• Confident communicator and relationship-builder
• Strong understanding of river catchment management, ecology, hydrology, or environmental science.
• Proven experience in project development and delivery, ideally nature-based solutions or citizen science.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and facilitation, from public meetings to strategic discussions.
• Confident in collecting, analysing, and using environmental data.
• Track record in fundraising and managing successful environmental projects.
• Experience mentoring or supervising staff or volunteers.

Why join us?

At SERT, we’re passionate about restoring rivers and inspiring communities. Working here is rewarding, collaborative, and impactful. If you thrive on challenge and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Interested? Apply now and help us create a healthier, more resilient catchment, see the full job description for more information.

Application process

• Closing date for applications: Sunday 18th January 2026 at 11:59pm.
• Interviews:  w/c Monday 29th January 2026

About Edward’s Trust

Edward’s Trust is a local West Midlands charity providing support for bereaved children, young people, and parents. We have 36 years of experience and operate at the highest level, providing qualified counselling and holistic support for complex or prolonged grief. We do not set time limits and the service is completely free. We do not get Government funding; therefore, we rely on donations to keep this vital service going.

Our Values

RESPECT

We will act with integrity in all that we do, being mindful and considerate to all. We respect and remember those who have died. Respect is a constant that embraces diversity and uniqueness of experience.

HOPE

A feeling of trust in tomorrow. We embody, instill and empower a feeling of trust in tomorrow. Hope is the hand to hold. We have a vision that one day there will be a universal understanding of life-changing grief.

HOLISTIC

Complete and all encompassing. We acknowledge and respond to the needs of the whole person: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We recognise the total experience of grief, promoting a holistic approach to bereavement care.

SUPPORT

Enabling with compassion and care. We provide responsive support that is appropriate, relevant and meaningful to each individual. Together in safety and strength. Encouraging society to respond appropriately to people facing loss and surviving bereavement

EXCELLENCE

Embracing professional integrity and creative innovation. We are passionate about providing exceptional services and maintaining the highest standards in all that we do. Excellence is valuing people. We are committed to driving innovation and change.

Role summary

If you’re ready for your next fundraising role, taking a step up and pushing yourself whilst working in a small but mighty team, this role really is for you.  This role is a critical part of the fundraising puzzle to deliver the Edward’s Trust fundraising growth plan for 2026 and increase income and services in the local West Midlands area.  This role allows you to apply your fundraising skill and knowledge and have a real and measurable impact." This Senior Fundraiser will report to the Interim Head of Fundraising, with a plan to lead the team from June 2026 with a comprehensive handover.

This role will deputise for the interim Head of Fundraising when required and has huge potential for professional growth.  This role will be an exciting opportunity to work with the leadership team to develop and implement the Edward’s Trust income generation strategy, and we are particularly interested in candidates that have grown corporate income. You will be individually responsible for Corporate, Legacy, and Regular Giving fundraising.

Working with interim Head of Fundraising, you will enhance the donor experience, ensure relationships are strong and that excellent personalised communication systems are in place and that we are truly audience led. You will be required to support other members of the Fundraising Team on fundraising activities where extra resources or senior representation may be required.

You will be responsible and accountable for ensuring the database (Donorflex) is maintained by the Fundraising Team alongside the Head of Fundraising.

You will be responsible for supporting the Head of Fundraising in reviewing systems and processes and ensuring that the Fundraising Team is working efficiently and in accordance with regulatory and legal requirements and best practice. 

The role will involve managing and tracking the Fundraising Team budget through direct line management when appropriate and you will be required to create monthly reports and updates as well as Trustee Reports, and, when needed, to reforecast income/expenditure, liaising with the senior leadership team.

We are open to flexible/hybrid working requests which can be discussed at interviews. 

Battersea is in an exciting phase of innovation and transformation as we embark on the second year of our five-year strategy. With increased investment in income generation, which started in 2025, we continue to expand our team to drive the growth necessary to achieve our organisational goals. Our fundraising team bridges the journey of the animals in our care with the wider public, demonstrating how their contributions enable us to support every dog and cat. We now have several new roles within this team to further our mission.

Legacy and In-Memory income is vital for Battersea and gifts left to us in Wills account for over 40% of our total income. We’ve seen significant growth in this area thanks to the sector-leading work of our ambitious team and the success of our wider fundraising programme. It’s therefore an exciting time to join the Legacy and In-Memory fundraising team.

The Legacy and In-Memory Stewardship Officer will help to support and deliver our Legacy and In Memory stewardship programme, working closely with the Senior Stewardship Officer to ensure the smooth and effective management of day-to-day activity, reporting, and stewardship campaigns.

What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year.
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.

More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 18th January 2026
Interview date(s): First round (online): 26th & 27th January 2026. Second round (in person): 3rd February 2026

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Battersea has entered an exciting phase of innovation and transformation as we embark on the second year of our new five-year strategy. With increased investment in income generation, we are strengthening our team to drive the growth necessary to achieve our organisational goals.

This is a new role working within Battersea’s Philanthropy & Trusts team to seek and secure new income as part of a £4-6million pound capital fundraising appeal over the next 3 years.

One of the key pillars of Battersea’s current strategy is to ensure that we continue to provide expert care for all the dogs and cats that come through our gates. One of the ways in which we do this is by investing in our facilities to ensure that they continue to meet the changing needs of the animals we care for. Our new capital fundraising appeal will help to achieve that aim.

The key purpose of this Philanthropy Manager (New Business) is to meet both financial and strategic KPIs, by cultivating a pipeline of new major donor prospects to secure significant donations for this capital campaign.

Please note: this is a 3 year Fixed-Term contract opportunity

What we can offer you:

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year.
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:

We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:

At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 21st January 2026
Interview date(s): Interviews will be taking place on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged as the role will closed once filled.

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.