Policy/Research Jobs in Northern Ireland
We're Hiring! Green Space for Health Programme Director (Maternity Cover)
This is an exciting senior role for an environmentally committed leader to cover maternity leave. We are looking for someone who can take strategic oversight of our Green Space for Health programme and provide effective management of the project and its staff.
- Home-based with monthly travel to Oxford (expenses covered)
- Full time (37.5 hours per week)
- Salary: £42,230 per annum (plus contributory pension)
- Fixed term for 8 months (with potential to extend to 12 months subject to funding)
- Apply by midnight 19th May 2024, interviews will take place w/c 3rd June
About the role
This is an exciting senior role for an environmentally committed leader to cover maternity leave. We are looking for someone who can take strategic oversight of our Green Space for Health programme and provide effective management of the project and its staff.
Our Green Space for Health programme helps to realise the value of green space for physical and mental health, both at healthcare sites and in the wider community. Our flagship project, the NHS Forest, promotes tree planting and woodland creation at NHS sites, supporting and encouraging sites to plant and maintain trees through offering free trees and advice. We support NHS sites to develop their greenspace for the benefits of patients, health staff and communities, while improving biodiversity and combatting climate change. We do this by encouraging green space enhancements such as meadow areas, vegetable growing, orchards and therapeutic gardens, as well as supporting the delivery of nature-based interventions for health.
The Green Space for Health Director will oversee the development of the NHS Forest and other Green Space for Health projects, delivering the programme strategy. This will include managing the Green Space for Health team, overseeing the delivery of our funded projects including budget management, coordinating reports to funders and trustees, and taking a strategic lead on the development and funding of the Green Space for Health programme in consultation with other stakeholders. See the full roles and responsibilities below.
The Green Space for Health Director will deliver our programme strategy through fulfilling the following responsibilities:
- Provide line management for the Green Space for Health Team’s 5 staff members. This will include one-to-one meetings, appraisals and regular team meetings.
- Oversee the delivery of the Green Space for Health funded projects, including NHS Forest tree planting projects and our Nature Recovery Ranger programme.
- Raise income for, monitor and oversee the programme budget in consultation with CSH’s fundraising and finance team.
- Coordinate reporting on the programme, including liaising with funders and producing reports for funders and for CSH’s board of trustees.
- Oversee the development and delivery of Green Space for Health training course, working with Green Space for Health staff and with administrative and strategic support from CSH’s education team.
- Work with the team to coordinate the NHS Forest Advisory Group.
- Build partnerships that will further the development of the programme and contribute to fundraising in line with the programme objectives.
- Act as a spokesperson for the programme, including making presentations, responding to media requests and participating in relevant national policy fora, including for the purposes of wider policy development.
- Be an active member of CSH’s senior management team, helping to develop CSH as an organisation, including strategy, employment and oversight.
For more information, please see the full job description and person specification attached or visit our website.
Closing date: 19th May 2024
Interviews: w/c 3rd June 2024
Position: Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager (Northern Ireland)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time (35 hours a week)
Location: Office-based in Belfast (BT7) with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £36,309 - £38,786 per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band: Band F1
About us
We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.
Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.
Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.
Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.
About this job
We’re recruiting for a Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager to join our team in Northern Ireland.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic individual with experience in shaping policy and the ability to communicate the position of the MS Society in Northern Ireland and develop its profile to a wide range of audiences.
You’ll also act as a spokesperson for the MS Society in Northern Ireland and play an important role in developing our strategic approach to supporting people affected by MS. Helping us to ensure that our priorities align with the needs and aspirations of the MS community.
We’re looking for the successful candidate to be able to demonstrate that they understand the challenges that people with MS face. You’ll be mobilising the MS community in Northern Ireland to make a powerful case for continued improvement in the treatment, care and support of people living with MS.
You’ll be enthusiastic and passionate about the work we do, forge strong partnerships with key stakeholders and represent the MS Society at key meetings and events in Northern Ireland.
This is a fantastic role for someone who understands the political and policy environment in Northern Ireland, enjoys taking a strategic and operational lead, and enjoys leading powerful campaigns.
We recognise the significant and excellent contributions; experience; and skills our employees bring to the MS Society.
Working with external pay and reward consultants, we’re taking active steps this year to review our employees’ pay and benefits package. Ensuring we’re aligned with the most accurate and up-to-date benchmarks for the UK charity sector.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Wednesday 15 May 2024
Anticipated interview date: Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 May 2024
PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.
More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to):
Encouraging work life balance
- 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
- More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
- Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us)
- Flexible working options
Caring for you and your family
- Generous sick pay entitlement
- More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment
- Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year
- Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day / 7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis
- Cycle to work scheme
- Death in service scheme
- Health cash plans to help offset the cost of health care for you and your family
- Enhanced leave for new parents
- Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day / 7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
- Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
- 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
- in the event of miscarriage or still birth
- to support fertility treatments
- for antenatal appointments for both parents
Thinking about your finances
- Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
- Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
- New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing
Enriching your life at work
- Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
- Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
- New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely
- Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups)
- Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community)
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal
Equal Opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.
We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application.
Disability Confident Employer
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.
You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.
If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.
Safeguarding
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.
This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.
We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.
We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.
Your right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.
You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.
No agencies please.
BACKGROUND
Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (Habitat GB) is part of the international Habitat for Humanity network. We tackle housing poverty around the world by working in partnership with communities and families to achieve their dreams of a safe and decent place to live. You can find out more about our work on our website.
We are embarking on an ambitious new direction at Habitat GB; leveraging our global housing expertise and the learning from our flagship national programme “Empty Spaces to Homes” to work collaboratively with Habitat colleagues across Europe in effecting change at a policy level.
“Empty Spaces to Homes” is a ground-breaking initiative focused on a circular buildings approach that already has a feasible proof of concept from piloting, with strong upscaling potential. The premise is simple; unlocking the potential of long term empty commercial spaces to create affordable housing for vulnerable people. As well as the social benefits of adding to affordable housing stock, the Empty Spaces to Homes approach of retrofitting existing structures – at a much lower carbon cost - offers a greener and more sustainable way to meet the housing gap, in comparison to the environmental impact of the new build construction industry. Breaking down long-standing barriers to resource-efficient renovation is essential if the UK is to play its part in meeting ambitious global decarbonisation targets.
Purpose of The role
The UK Housing Advocacy Manager will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission by leading advocacy efforts, shaping policies, and promoting sustainable housing solutions for affordable housing in Great Britain, particularly through our groundbreaking initiative "Empty Spaces to Homes."
As this is a new role, and is being recruited alongside the Head of Global Affairs and Advocacy, key responsibilities will include the establishment of a new function at Habitat GB. It involves working closely with colleagues across the Habitat GB organisation and contributing to advocacy efforts across the Habitat network at global and regional levels through engagement, strategy and shared learning. Key responsibilities also include developing communication and advocacy strategies targeting professionals and decision makers in social, environmental and housing sectors, as well as undertaking research and writing policy papers.
Main Responsibilities
1) Research and Analysis:
- Commission and conduct in-depth research into current British housing landscapes and related legislation, assessing the effectiveness of mechanisms for converting unused premises into social housing and its environmental impact.
- Identify legal changes necessary to facilitate such activities and advocate for their implementation.
2) Lead Policy Advocacy Efforts:
- Utilise research findings to develop policy positions and identify priority issues, setting policy goals, and mapping out related advocacy activities.
- Embed critical concepts such as embodied carbon and whole life cycle into policy communications to amplify Habitat GB's messaging.
3) Partnerships and Networks:
- Join and represent Habitat GB at existing coalitions or form new coalitions if necessary with stakeholders in the social, environmental, and housing sectors to advocate for climate and equity-related incentives in national and local legislations, policies, and funding mechanisms.
- Build a network of relationships among key stakeholder groups and individual decision-makers to advance Habitat's policy goals.
- Identify strategic events and ensure speaking roles for Habitat GB.
- Represent Empty Spaces to Homes and Habitat for Humanity’s wider UK programmes for awareness raising, advocacy and other priorities at key meetings and events.
4) Direct Lobbying:
- Cultivate strategic relationships with key decision-makers to further Habitat's policy objectives.
5) Collaboration:
- Develop collaborative partnerships internally with Habitat entities across Europe, aligning with the broader strategic objectives of the Empty Spaces to Homes initiative.
- Support communication efforts to underpin advocacy efforts effectively.
6) Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Work with the Impact Team to provide regular updates on advocacy strategy activities and evaluate their effectiveness.
Person Specification
· Proven experience in professional advocacy to influence key policy positions and decisions, preferably in housing or a related field.
· Track record in delivering targeted advocacy strategies and implementing communication strategies to support advocacy efforts.
· Experience in engaging stakeholders and decision-makers through events, networks, and meetings.
· Experience in community mobilisation or engagement.
· Understanding of housing poverty policies and related social welfare issues in Great Britain, with the ability to advise on effective mechanisms for influence.
· Familiarity with Local Authority Governance and opportunities for policy influence at local and regional levels.
Skills and competencies:
· Proficient in clear and effective written and verbal communication to convey complex policy matters to diverse groups.
· Strong relationship-building skills with government representatives, NGOs, and various stakeholders.
· Strategic thinking abilities and collaborative work approach towards organisational objectives and advocacy approaches.
· Ability to collaborate with diverse teams across multiple locations.
· Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines and adapt to challenges.
· Enthusiastic, positive, and proactive with a solution-oriented mindset.
· Demonstrated interest in our work and commitment to continuous learning and development.
· Dedication to contributing to the inclusive, people-positive culture at Habitat.
The role and responsibilities will be carried out in a way which reflects:
· Habitat GB’s commitment to safeguarding children in accordance with the Safeguarding
Policy.
· A commitment to Habitat GB’s vision, mission, values and approach.
· A commitment to effective management of risk, by operating within the Charity’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and controls and by carrying out the risk management and assurance responsibilities of the role as set out in relevant Policy and Procedures.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Job descriptions may be subject to change.
Flexibility
Habitat GB is seeking to rapidly expand its activities and impact to fight poverty across the world. This means that the organisation must be adaptable and flexible and have an ambitious, dynamic and flexible team. It is a requirement of the post holder to be flexible in terms of location (within reason), line management, and duties and responsibilities.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
Start your Habitat journey
We want the recruitment process to give you the opportunity to share your skills and experience, and to find out more about Habitat. You are welcome to get in touch and arrange an informal chat with a member of the team before submitting an application. To apply for the role, please send us your CV and a cover letter telling us about yourself, how you meet the person specification, and your motivation for applying – we don’t expect this to be more than two sides of A4.
The deadline for applications is 12 May 2024 (at 11:59 pm).
Interviews will take place online from the week beginning 20 May 2024. Selected candidates will be contacted to agree a suitable time for interview.
Please note that we do not reimburse any expenses incurred during interviews.
We’d prefer to hear directly from applicants – we won’t be working with third party recruiters on this role.
This post profile is not set in stone. It gives insight into the main purpose of the role, and expected responsibilities, but it might be reviewed in the future to meet the changing requirements of Habitat for Humanity GB – any changes will be made in discussion with the post-holder.
Habitat for Humanity requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguard our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of our code of conduct.
At Habitat for Humanity GB, we aim to build, develop and retain a talented workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. We welcome and actively encourage applications from anyone who feels they’d be a good fit for our organisation, regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or any other protected characteristics.
Unfortunately, because of high volume of applications we will not be able to contact unsuccessful applicants. If you haven’t heard from us within a month of the application deadline, please assume that your application has not been successful.
Policy Officer
(UK wide)
£28,831 per annum (pro rata for part time hours)
(Ref: SUS4232)
Full Time 37.5 hours per week – happy to talk flexible working
Base: Sustrans offices, home based or hybrid. Will need to travel to our Bristol hub for team meetings in person once a month.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Sustrans as part of the Policy and Public Affairs team, during an election year, delivering a number of vital pieces of research designed to improve walking, wheeling and cycling and transport more broadly.
As the Policy Officer, you will lead on delivering two key policy projects for Sustrans with support from our Head of Policy and Senior Policy Officer. You will help develop evidence, policy and practice working closely with colleagues to maximise long-term opportunities to help increase transport choice for people.
We offer true hybrid working, a flexible mix of working from home and occasional travel to a nearby office hub with an expectation of a monthly team meeting in Bristol and occasional travel for project related activity.
This role will require travel and work at locations as necessary to undertake projects on behalf of Sustrans.
About you
You should have proven experience of conducting qualitative and quantitative research across a variety of issues and in writing for policy and public audiences.
We also ask that you are experienced in working autonomously but also as part of a team and with funders, partners and agencies to deliver work.
You will be skilled in presenting arguments and clearly communicating complex information to a range of audiences in an accessible and persuasive way, in person and in writing.
Sustrans has a long-term commitment to being a charity for everyone - reducing inequality, valuing diversity, enabling inclusion and ensuring all people are treated with dignity and respect. We aim to be a truly inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all parts of the community, in particular from under-represented groups.
What we offer
In return we can offer true hybrid working to suit individual circumstances and a flexible, supportive and rewarding working environment.
Wellbeing
28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time working
Ability to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time staff)
Staff volunteer days
24/7 free, impartial and confidential support service
We are members of the Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme who both offer cycle to work schemes
Financial
Group Personal Pension scheme with a 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by Sustrans
Bike, computer and season ticket loans
Discount benefits
London Weighting Allowance of £4,530 for all those living within a London Borough (32 local authority districts plus the City of London)
Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary
Family Friendly
Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday)
Additional information
Closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 23:59, 19 May 2024.
Interviews will take place in via MS Teams during the week commencing 27 May 2024
About Sustrans
At Sustrans you'll be part of a movement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.
We're all here to change things! You’ll be part of an incredible community of talented, passionate, creative, problem solvers all working together to change things for the better. We act locally and think big - we have a vision of a society where the way we travel creates healthier places and happier lives for everyone.
You'll be questioning the status quo and daring to imagine a different world. You'll work on exciting, impactful projects that will stretch and empower you and you'll be rewarded by seeing the difference you make to people, communities and the planet.
We believe including everyone is central to who we are and what we want to achieve, we welcome difference and pride ourselves on creating a culture where you can be yourself and where your wellness is supported.
You'll be guaranteed to make friends for life and work with a team that is incredibly flexible, supportive, ethical and fun.
England’s National Parks represent our finest landscapes, famed for their spectacular beauty, varied wildlife and rich cultural heritage. National Parks are critical to supporting local communities, providing access to green spaces for the nation, and helping to tackle the dual challenges of climate change and declining biodiversity.
National Parks England’s purpose is to be the collective voice for English National Park Authorities, helping us to achieve our purposes through influencing policy. We are a small team, working with a much wider team of colleagues across National Park Authorities.
As Senior Media and Communications Officer within NPE you will support a range of the policy and influencing work of National Park Authorities for a range of campaigns and projects including our work on Generation Green and the Protected Landscapes Partnership.
You will work alongside the wider team to ensure effective communication through the media to influence public opinion and political change. As well as high quality media relations, the post will support delivery of public relations activities, and support wider public affairs and stakeholder relations.
The successful candidate will have excellent media, public relations and integrated communications skills gained within a policy and influencing environment and will be confident to play both lead and supporting roles on a wide range of projects. They will have excellent writing and editing skills, an understanding of what makes media worthy content, and experience of building relationships with journalists. The post holder should also have experience of as supporting stakeholder engagement with those in and around government and in working with a range of project partners.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
England’s National Parks represent our finest landscapes, famed for their spectacular beauty, varied wildlife and rich cultural heritage. National Parks are critical to supporting local communities, providing access to green spaces for the nation, and helping to tackle the dual challenges of climate change and declining biodiversity.
National Parks England’s purpose is to be the collective voice for English National Park Authorities, helping us to achieve our purposes through influencing policy.
The Policy and Public Affairs Manager will be an experienced public affairs professional with a passion for nature and understanding of National Parks.
The successful applicant will join our senior management team, managing the Policy and Public Affairs team and work with the Executive Director to help develop and drive the NPE policy and public affairs strategy, working closely with stakeholders in our member National Parks and the wider Protected Landscapes family.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you have experience and knowledge of audit and quality improvement approaches? Are you passionate about enabling people to live their best lives? If so, please keep reading because we want to hear from you.
We are bold and ambitious and really want you to come and join us to help us achieve our vision where the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
We are recruiting for a Head of Audit and Improvement job share partner to work up to 26 hours per week alongside our existing Head of Audit and Improvement. We can be flexible on days worked and this can be discussed at interview. This role will be mainly working from home with some occasional travel when required.
In this role you will:
- Lead quality performance, supporting, advising and proactively identifying risk and areas for improvement in each Operational area including adult social care and educational programmes
- Provide oversight for quality frameworks and methodology ensuring currency according to social care or legislative changes.
- Lead a team to ensure the programme of improvement and quality assurance activities are delivered and performance expectations are met.
- Ensure accurate and meaningful information on aspects of quality performance is collated and analysed, to provide assurance and intelligence to help inform decision-making.
- Be an active and supportive member of the Senior leadership team, advising on issues relating to quality
- Design, implement and embed an audit and improvement programme across operational services
- Deputise on occasion for the Executive Director of Quality and Impact
We are looking for someone who:
- has experience of working in a similar role, ideally within Health and Social Care
- is a great communicator and influencer and enjoys working with all stakeholders up to and including exec level
- is knowledgeable of our regulatory environment
- has extensive knowledge of quality frameworks, methodology and tools
- has line management experience with the ability to coach and mentor colleagues
If you’re ready to make a difference, please get in touch today by providing an up-to-date bespoke CV that demonstrates all your relevant skills and experience.
At Mencap, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we intentionally plan for the success of our colleagues in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone, so come as you are and join us. Together we are Mencap!
Interviews will take place via TEAMS on the 21st May and will include a second stage for those that are successful following the initial interview on 24th May.
*While we are committed to encouraging flexible working patterns, in some cases, it may not be possible for us to accommodate a request.
Benefits
As well as knowing that what we do is making a positive difference to people’s lives, you will receive fair pay and have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits as one of our employees.
- 24 days holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with long service plus the ability to buy up to another 10 days via our HolidayPlus scheme
- Service related sick pay when 6 month probation is completed
- Eligibility to join Mencap Pension Plan where Mencap matches contributions up to 5% on a salary sacrifice basis meaning NI savings. If you don’t join the Plan you start, you will be auto-enrolled after three months with us.
- Membership of Mencap Pension Plan to include up to 3 times salary death in service live cover AND Income Protection of 50% salary to be triggered at 26 weeks of long term sickness
- Loans for debt consolidation, bikes, computers and phones when you have been with us for 6 months
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Discounts and cashback from 3% to 30% at high street shops including major super markets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via Mencap Extras
- Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.
- Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
- Quarterly award scheme and recognition at every 5 years through our YouRock program
- Access to award winning training and development
*T&C's apply based on contract
About Mencap
We work in partnership with people with a learning disability, and all our services support people to live life as they choose. Everyone wants a purposeful job - to do something meaningful. At Mencap, we can give you that. You will have opportunities to develop as a person, colleague, leader and activist. We want to make you feel inspired to reach your potential.
Our work includes;
- providing high-quality, flexible services that allow people to live as independently as possible in a place they choose
- providing advice through our help lines and web sites
Assistance Dogs UK acts as an umbrella body for accredited assistance dog organisations. The Charity seeks to advance the education of the public and service providers about assistance dogs, and the rights of people who rely on them.
ADUK is a small but growing charity hoping to make a big impact for our already highly engaged members. Members work with us collaboratively to share their experience and knowledge, and this enables us to meet our charitable objectives and advance the industry.
ADUK is looking for an experienced and dedicated professional to be part of our ambitious team at a key time for the charity. In this new role, our Policy and Campaigns Manager will develop our policy positions and further our campaigning aims to promote standards-based approaches to the training and welfare of assistance dogs, and to facilitate better access for all those who rely on these highly trained dogs.
This is a new role so we are seeking someone who will be inspired by our work and be excited about making it a success.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POST IS 3RD JUNE 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Victim Support is looking to recruit a Research & Lived Experience Officer (RLEO), with a background in research and/or in coordinating a lived-experience forum, to lead on a project to provide feedback and insight on products related to victims. This role is offered on a fixed term basis for 12 months working four days a week (possibility of full time can be discussed), to start as soon as possible.
What we offer:
At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:
- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your birthday
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
- High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
- Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
- Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
- Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression
About the Role:
Victim Support (VS) is the leading independent charity in England and Wales for people who have been affected by crime and traumatic incidents. Understanding the experience and needs of victims and witnesses of crime is central to the charities' aims and vision.
As a Research & Lived Experience Officer you will have the opportunity to capture the voice of victims and promote evidence based recommendations to improve the experience of victims in the criminal justice system. You will be a part of a small but enthusiastic research team, while also having the opportunity to lead your own project.
You will have the opportunity to recruit participants and manage a Lived Experience Engagement Forum, and to regularly engage, build and maintain close relationships with the forum's participants. You will also need to conduct workshops/focus groups to collect feedback and insights from the participants on various products and procedures, and produce summaries of this feedback.
To be successful in the role you will need to have proven experience in recruiting vulnerable people to take part in research activities and conducting workshops or focus groups and interviews. Experience in writing and analysing surveys is an advantage. You will also have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work independently, as well as experience of working in partnership with various stakeholders. Having knowledge of victims of crime is desirable, but not essential.
About Us:
Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.
Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.
Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.
As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.
If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.
How to apply:
To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.
We look forward to hearing from you.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Nature and Wellbeing Manager to lead our exciting new project expanding RSPB's flagship 'Nature Prescriptions' Programme into Wales building on the expertise and experience of our Scottish and English colleagues.
Nature and Wellbeing Manager
Reference: APR20247410
Location: Flexible in Wales
Salary: £32,022.00 - £34,377.00 Per Annum
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 Hours per week
Duration: Fixed Term, 22 months
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave
We have a wealth of evidence that individuals with a greater connection to nature experience improved mental wellbeing, greater vitality and happiness, and deeper life satisfaction. Research also shows that increasing your connection with nature can positively impact a range of conditions, including stress, anxiety and depression, as well as outcomes for some physical health conditions too.
RSPB 'Nature Prescriptions' are designed to encourage and prompt people to connect to nature in support of their goals for better wellbeing. We believe that everyone, no matter where they live or the challenges they face, has the right to access nature, and to feel this strong connection to the natural world. Inspiring and enabling healthcare professionals and others in the NHS to prescribe nature, is a key route for the RSPB to enable more people from more diverse communities to access the natural world. In so doing we hope that those who feel more connected to nature, will want to act to save it.
Working with healthcare professionals and local communities in Cardiff and surrounds, you will use co-design to create materials in different formats that will support those who need it most. This is a great opportunity to work with a brilliant team of friendly and enthusiastic colleagues across the UK who have successfully implemented this approach elsewhere.
We're looking for a someone who is:
- Passionate: About connecting people to nature to improve their health and wellbeing.
- Courageous: In sharing this passion to enthuse healthcare and other professionals.
- Inquisitive: A natural curiosity to explore and understand and meet people where they are.
- Bold: Willing to contribute innovative ideas, particularly when addressing health inequalities.
- Collaborative: Fosters a collaborative, enjoyable and solution focused way of working with partners.
- Comfortable Challenging the Status Quo: Nature Prescriptions offer a way of improving wellbeing outside of the typical medical model of healthcare.
Key tasks will include:
- Lead the development of and promote the delivery of three new RSPB Nature Prescriptions to people living in diverse communities within Cardiff and the surrounding area.
- Develop relationships with key stakeholders in the NHS, health care and social care professionals to inspire and enable them to feel engaged and supported to co-create and prescribe a Nature Prescription, and to connect RSPB with the health sector to help create doors for future work.
- Engage with local healthcare professionals and community groups to co-design Nature Prescriptions materials with local people, community groups and healthcare professionals so that they reach a large diversity of people, and those that need and can benefit the most.
- Develop the project plan and ensure that the right governance structure for project management is in place and RSPB internal project management practices are followed, so that the project stays on track, comes in on budget and risks are identified, escalated, and managed within tolerances.
- Work with local environmental networks to build a picture of nature-based activities available and identify opportunities for partnership working.
- Lead on developing ways to evaluate and measure the impact of the project, including engaging with those prescribing and local communities to gather stories and case studies that demonstrate the benefits to wellbeing and connectedness to nature.
- Build internal relationships with RSPB employees and volunteers working with nature prescribing and nature and wellbeing across the UK.
- Develop a strategy and plan for Nature and Wellbeing work legacy aiming to learn from the work done in Scotland and England and from the communities and health care professionals in Cardiff and surrounds to support development of future work in Cardiff and beyond.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
- Experience of working within or alongside the health and wellbeing sector.
- Project management experience with experience of leading on and developing and delivering projects with diverse communities.
- Experience of developing external partnerships and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.
- Experience in delivering workshops or training, ideally with a co-design element.
- Excellent verbal and written communicator able to communicate nature and wellbeing messages in a way that is understood by a range of audiences and that engenders their support.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage and deliver a varied workload.
- Skilled in using Microsoft 365 suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.
Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience:
- Experience of SharePoint management.
- Experience of recruiting and managing volunteers.
- Welsh speaker or learner.
Closing date: 23:59, Friday 17th May 2024
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 3 June 2024.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
No agencies please.