Contract jobs

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research and Policy Manager
Contract: Fixed-term, 24-months
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £40,855 per annum
Location: Northern Ireland. (NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the Belfast BT15 office).

The Vacancy

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Research and Policy Manager to make a significant contribution to the design, delivery and management of research and evidence projects at NCB, and to ensure that this evidence is used to influence national policy development and decision making.

The postholder will work across a range of projects, bring research and policy development and influencing together on topics including social care and the transition to adulthood; education; mental health & wellbeing; child poverty; youth violence and early years.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 08:00am, Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Assessment and interviews to be conducted on 23rd and 24th June 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible

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.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

No agencies please.

Role Overview:
The Talent Set is delighted to partner with a leading charity in recruiting a highly motivated Community Fundraising Manager. This pivotal role involves developing and overseeing community fundraising initiatives, managing diverse teams, and collaborating on marketing strategies to strengthen supporter engagement.

The successful candidate will lead community fundraising efforts, manage a regional team, and work closely with marketing and stewardship initiatives. The role offers a unique opportunity to shape community engagement and support crucial health causes within a dynamic, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a regional team, including line management of four direct reports, volunteers, and support staff.
• Develop and execute community fundraising strategies, including relaunching the volunteer programme.
• Collaborate with marketing teams, particularly in understanding and reviewing Meta advertising campaigns and supporter engagement efforts.
• Oversee stewardship activities, ensuring effective recognition and support for supporters across varied donation levels.
• Build and maintain local partnerships and community relationships to enhance fundraising outcomes.
• Support the delivery of innovative fundraising products, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and wedding initiatives.
• Ensure all outreach activities align with organisational goals and compliance standards.

Person Specification:

• Proven experience managing a community fundraising team or programme.
• Knowledge of digital marketing, specifically in working with Meta advertising and PPC campaigns.
• Familiarity with volunteer management or volunteer programme development.
• Strong interpersonal skills, capable of managing a diverse team and engaging with external stakeholders.
• Experience in stewardship strategies to maintain supporter loyalty and maximise income.
• Organisational skills to manage multiple projects and oversee automated supporter engagement journeys.
• Adaptability to work in a hybrid environment with a flexible approach to on-site requirements.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary: £40,000 to £42,000
• Location: Hybrid - Central London
• Contract: 12-month FTC

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

About NCT
NCT is a charity with a clear mission: to support people as they become parents, through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

With a 65-year history of transformative change, we are a vibrant community of volunteers, practitioners, peer supporters, members and advocates. We are the largest parenting charity in the country and over the decades we’ve supported millions of people on their unique journey into parenthood. 

While many know us for our antenatal classes, we also do much more. We campaign on issues that matter to parents, provide infant feeding support, and run thousands of free community events and activities led by our amazing volunteers. We also support families facing challenges like social isolation, feeding difficulties, and poor mental health. We offer support in communities, in hospitals and online. 

About the role
Join our passionate team and contribute to the meaningful work that transforms the lives of parents and families. Your role will include:

• Provide line management and support to direct line reports and leadership for the project. 
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of Hackney’s parent demographics and local support services, enabling effective signposting for marginalised communities.
• Build strong partnerships with local VCOs and stakeholders to engage underrepresented communities, working collaboratively to support meaningful co-production.
• Create and lead welcoming parent focus groups that amplify local voices and help shape the project to be inclusive, accessible, and responsive to families’ needs.
• Data collection and reporting appropriate to the project for monthly/quarterly review with commissioners.

About you
You will be a compassionate, collaborative leader, committed to supporting parents and strengthening communities. You will provide effective line management and project leadership, creating inclusive, supportive environments where teams can thrive. 
Build a strong understanding of the diverse families in Hackney, taking an empathetic and proactive approach to engaging parents—particularly those whose voices are less often heard. Developing trusted relationships with local organisations and services, helping families access the support they need. Champion listening and co-creation, shaping accessible programmes through meaningful parent engagement, including focus groups. You will confidently use data to track progress, share learning, and demonstrate impact.
Above all, you will be driven to ensure every parent feels supported, connected, and heard.

Our Benefits – What we offer you
We value our team and offer fantastic benefits to support your well-being and professional growth: 

• 30 days annual leave (excluding Bank Holidays)
• Pension matched up to 5%
• Flexible working options to suit your lifestyle
• Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 GP access, personalised counselling, legal advice and more
• Cycle to work scheme to support sustainable commuting
• Life Assurance for peace of mind
• Free eye test for all staff, with further discounts
• Blue Light discount card
   

Role Overview:
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with the client on a fantastic Philanthropy Manager role. This position involves leading high-value donor strategies and stewardship programmes to support long-term income growth for a health-focused charity. The role offers an exciting opportunity to work on impactful projects within a collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and cultivate a portfolio of major donors, securing multi-year, five-figure gifts.
• Research and identify new high-net-worth prospects using internal and external data sources.
• Develop tailored cultivation and stewardship plans, ensuring timely reporting and engagement.
• Collaborate with senior staff, Trustees, and volunteers to support donor approaches and network expansion.
• Work with internal teams to align projects with donor interests and prepare compelling proposals.
• Support the organisation’s stewardship and events programme, focusing on relationship building.
• Contribute to the development of new fundraising products for major donors.

Person Specification:

• Extensive experience of fundraising from high-net-worth individuals.
• Proven ability to secure significant gifts in a donor relationship management context.
• Skilled in motivating and inspiring stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong network-building experience both internally and externally.
• Experience in designing impactful stewardship programmes and managing high-value events.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence and negotiate.
• Excellent time-management, organisational, and database skills.
• Knowledge of philanthropy, legal, ethical, and financial considerations related to major giving.
• Ability to work flexibly, manage conflicting priorities, and thrive within a collaborative team environment.
• An interest in medical research or healthcare is an advantage.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary: £40,000 (pro-rata) plus London Weighting of £3,000 or Home Allowance of £450 per annum depending on location
• Location: London or remote
• Contract: 9 month FTC

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.