Policy/Research Jobs in Buckinghamshire
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
People living with Parkinson's need to have their voice heard in Scotland to ensure their health and care needs are met. Following an investment in our services, support and work with the NHS, we are also expanding our campaigning and policy work across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
We’re looking for someone special with experience of campaigning, including an understanding of its basic tools and techniques, experience of interpreting complex policy issues for a public audience, and knowledge of the Scottish political and public policy landscape.
About the role
You’ll support our national and local campaigning work across Scotland to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s and those closest to them. As part of our dynamic and committed Scotland team, you’ll listen to the needs of our local communities and work with colleagues across the charity to deliver focussed political campaigning work.
You’ll work with our community to raise awareness and increase knowledge about Parkinson’s with decision makers at a local and national level. You’ll use your knowledge of public policy in Scotland and the UK to make sure that the voices of people with Parkinson’s, their partners, family members and friends are heard, and help to drive changes that improve their lives.
What you’ll do:
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Be a first point of contact for campaigners in Scotland, who want to improve services in their local area, and recruit and manage a sustainable network of local campaign volunteers specific to Scotland.
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Support the work of the Policy and Campaigns Manager to understand and influence UK wide and Scottish specific legislation, policy and practice relating to our communities and their needs
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Provide expert advice and support to colleagues and campaigners on how best to influence decision makers in Scotland.
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Use our UK-wide campaign priorities to deliver national and local campaign activity, and coordinate campaigns with other charities and organisations, where appropriate to further our goals.
What you’ll bring:
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Strong people skills, and a commitment to putting the experiences and needs of people affected by Parkinson’s at the centre of your work
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Excellent written and oral communication and an ability to produce inspiring content to motivate others, and the ability to network and manage supportive relationships with volunteers, MSPs and a range of external organisations
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Experience of managing a varied workload and working to tight deadlines, with excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise.
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Experience in organising events for relevant stakeholders
This is an exciting time for Parkinson’s UK and we would love you to join us!
Please apply by sending us your CV, together with a detailed supporting statement which will fully demonstrate how you meet all the criteria of the role, as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description.
Interviews for this role will be held 16/17 May 2024 and will be held over video/remotely. The panel will include a person affected by Parkinson’s.
Anyone can get Parkinson’s. It’s vital that the people who work for Parkinson’s UK are representative of our diverse community. We actively encourage people from all sections of the community to apply, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
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.
Overview
The National Paralympic Heritage Trust (NPHT) has embarked on a new exciting five-year strategy – ‘Becoming Seamlessly Inclusive 2023-2028’. To help us on this journey, this is an exciting opportunity to join our team as the Trust’s ‘Volunteer and Trainee Support Officer’, a key role within our organisation. We are looking for someone who would enjoy supporting our volunteers and trainees and who can demonstrate good administration skills.
The NPHT is a young dynamic and diverse organisation and a leader in accessible heritage. Over our first five years we have engaged with over half a million people with the ambition to reach a million over the next five years, with support from several major heritage funders including the Arts Council England (as an NPO), National Lottery Heritage Fund, Rothschild Foundation, Museums Association Esmee Fairbairn, Wolfson Foundation, Art Fund and Garfield Weston.
Background
The NPHT was formed in 2015 with the core purpose to ‘enlighten and inspire future generations by celebrating, cherishing and bringing the Paralympic heritage and its stories of human endeavour to life’ and in doing so, to challenge negative perceptions of disability. Our purpose is to celebrate, cherish and bring the heritage to life, in a compelling and evocative way, securing a legacy, feeding a growing public interest since London 2012, changing attitudes, and instilling national pride.
In our role as caretakers of one of the World’s most important disability history collections, the Paralympic movement, we aim to become, and help others become seamlessly inclusive. From 2023 to 2028 for every £2 we spend, we aim to positively broaden somebody’s understanding of disability and transcend heritage access.
In our first 5 years 2017 to 2022 we have reached over half a million people across the UK, and overseas (over 50% of our website visitors are from abroad representing 195 different nations), establishing an accredited museum and collection of international importance. Our learning programmes and digital engagement are recognised as providing ground-breaking access to D/deaf and disabled audiences.
Our purpose and moral responsibility is to continue to bring this unique British heritage to life, building awareness of Paralympic history, sport and the individuals involved in its development.
We seek to do this in a compelling and evocative way that pushes the boundaries of access for all, changing attitudes, serving national inclusion agendas, and instilling national pride.
The NPHT is a registered Charity 1165416.
The founding partners are the British Paralympic Association, WheelPower – British Wheelchair Sport and Buckinghamshire Council.
Role of the Volunteer and Trainee Support Officer:
1. Overall
1.1 To support and develop the volunteer and work placement programmes.
1.2 To practically support two of our trainees with neurodiversity.
2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 To oversee the volunteer programme with support from the Head of Programmes.
2.2 To manage the ‘access to work’ programmes.
2.3 To act as a work coach to the trainees, helping them deliver their work plans.
2.4 To support the ‘Learning Manager and Collections Engagement Officer’ with the provision of volunteers for their programmes of work.
2.5 To support the work placement’s programme and individuals completing them, by planning out the work in liaison across the team and helping the ‘Head of Programmes’ carry out the work.
2.6 To support the Trust’s community liaison.
2.7 To support other programmes of work as directed.
3. Meetings and reporting
3.1 The ‘Volunteer and Trainee Support Officer’will be employed by the National Paralympic Heritage Trust and be responsible to the Board of Trustees.
3.2 The ‘Volunteer and Trainee Support Officer’ will report to, be managed and supported by the ‘Head of Programmes’.
3.3 The ‘Volunteer and Trainee Support Officer will have monthly meetings with the ‘Head of Programmes reporting on progress and raising any areas of concern.
4. Period of Contract
4.1 May 2024 to the end of April 2026.
5. Contract fee/Pay
5.1 The proposed fee is £25,000 a year pro-rata - three days a week (24 hours).
5.2 In addition to the payment outlined above the ‘Volunteer and Trainee Support Officer’ will be paid reasonable agreed expenses incurred subject to the supply of receipts/travel expense claim. The post holder will also be eligible for a stakeholder pension.
6. Indemnity
Insurance is covered by the NPHT.
7. Skills and Qualifications
Essential:
o Must be a people focused person.
o Have excellent interpersonal, organisational and communication skills.
o Need a good eye for detail.
o A proven ability to work in a collaborative manner.
o Be an excellent communicator.
o Be highly self-motivated.
o Have experience of engaging with communities.
Desirable:
o Have experience/empathy to disability and neurodiversity.
o Have an interest in sport.
o Have an understanding of/or interest in the Paralympics.
Your application and the recruitment process
In order to apply you should submit:
· An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages.
· A supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role detailing how you meet the skills we are seeking – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages.
Or you can make your application using alternative formats suited to your needs including a film (no longer than 10 minutes), an audio recording (no longer than 10 minutes) or a collage (up to 4 pages).
We implement the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Disabled People. This means we will guarantee to interview all applicants who both declare their disability and meet the essential criteria for a vacant post.
Closing Date - Applications should be received by 5pm on Monday 29th April 2024.
We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
You will receive an acknowledgement and we suggest that if you don’t receive this you should contact us to confirm your application has arrived.
Interviews will take place at the beginning of May for which we can make adjustments according to your needs.
We very much see these as a two-way opportunity for us to find out more about each other and there will be an opportunity for you to meet members of the Trust staff.
Please do contact us if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role/organisation or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.