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This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.
The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
- Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
- Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
- Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
- Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
- Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
- Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network
About The Difference
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Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.
About You
Essential
- Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
- Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
- Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
- Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
- Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
- Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
- Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people
Desired
- Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
- Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
- Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
- Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
- Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
- Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations
Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
- 37 hours per week
- £40,000 – £42,000 per annum plus 6% pension contribution
- Remote
Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) is the national campaigns and membership body for a network of independent, community-based Rape Crisis Centres working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence.
The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is a national service led by Rape Crisis England & Wales and funded by the Ministry of Justice.
We are looking for a values-led professional with strong digital project skills and a deep commitment to survivor-centred, high-quality services.
Job Summary
As the Digital Project & Product Lead for the 247 Support Line, you will lead the transformation and continuous improvement of the organisation’s digital support line infrastructure, ensuring the technology and processes that underpin survivor support are effective, resilient, and user centred.
This role sits at the intersection of project delivery, product management, and a genuine commitment to the survivors RCEW serves. The right candidate will understand that technology is only as good as the humans who use it and will bring both rigour and empathy to everything they do.
You will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery which, includes defining the product requirements, technology evaluation, procurement, implementation, onboarding, and ongoing optimisation. Working closely with operational teams, suppliers, and stakeholders, you will ensure that our support line products enable support workers to deliver high-quality, accessible services.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Delivery
· Own and drive the support centre improvement programme from procurement through to live operation, ensuring delivery on time and within budget
· Manage supplier relationships, coordinate and input into the evaluation of bids, and identify, track, and mitigate risks throughout the programme
· Maintain clear, accessible project documentation and provide regular progress updates to senior stakeholders
· Coordinate across internal teams (services, technology, legal, finance) and external partners to keep work aligned and moving
Product & Solution Ownership
· Act as product owner for the support centre platform: defining requirements which meet the needs of support workers and service users
· As part of a team you’ll evaluate technology options against a set of agreed criteria, with a focus on fitness for purpose, data security and value for money
· Oversee the bespoke configuration of the chosen platform, working closely with the supplier
· Collaborate with the Head of Service to and I.T Lead to onboard and train the team, ensuring support line workers feel confident and prepared from day one
· Following go-live, take responsibility for the continued health and development of the support centre platform and identify improvement opportunities
· Champion best practice in digital service design and products across the organisation, building internal capability over time
Information Governance & Data Protection
· Work closely with RCEW's Data Protection Officer and Senior leadership to ensure all aspects of the programme comply with relevant data legislation
Person Specification*
· A proven track record of successfully delivering digital or technology projects on time and within budget
· Able to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities
· Ability to assess complex situations, identify blockers, and develop pragmatic solutions
· Ability to gather and translate user needs into product requirements; comfortable working with service design principles and working iteratively to develop or improve digital products
· Experience and understanding of contact centre software, CRM, and/or case management platforms
· Proven ability to work across diverse teams and communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences
· Thorough knowledge of UK GDPR and able to handle highly sensitive personal data and engage with difficult subject matter with care and professionalism
· A team player who builds trust quickly and works effectively across organisational boundaries
· Self-starter who can work autonomously, flag problems early, and drive work forward without constant direction
· A genuine commitment to RCEW's mission to end sexual violence and support survivors
Personal Attributes
We are looking for a skilled and versatile digital professional who combines strong delivery skills with product thinking. You do not need to be a technical expert, but you do need to be confident working with technology suppliers, communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and making sound decisions under pressure.
Above all, we are looking for someone who understands the importance of the work RCEW does and has a strong track record of delivering digital projects effectively.
Success in the role of Digital Project & Product Lead for the Support Line is determined by the ability to lead and coordinate the successful delivery of digital projects that enhance the effectiveness, resilience, and user experience of the national 24/7 Support Line. Working collaboratively with suppliers, internal teams, operational colleagues, and key stakeholders, the role will ensure that digital solutions are implemented safely, on time, and in line with service requirements.
Key measures of success include:
- Strong supplier engagement and stakeholder collaboration result in agreed solution designs that meet the operational needs of the Support Line.
- A robust project plan is developed and managed in partnership with suppliers, with key milestones achieved within agreed timescales.
- Virtual Contact Centre (VCC) upgrades are configured and delivered in accordance with agreed specifications, supporting improved service delivery and performance.
- Integration testing with existing systems is completed successfully, with issues identified, resolved, and signed off before implementation.
- Operating procedures, user guidance, and supporting documentation are developed or updated to reflect new processes and system functionality.
- Comprehensive training materials are produced, enabling Support Line staff and delivery partners to effectively use new systems and features.
- Training is delivered to relevant colleagues and stakeholders, ensuring operational readiness and confidence ahead of implementation.
- A structured Go Live readiness review confirms that technical, operational, governance, and business readiness criteria have been met before deployment.
- The VCC upgrades are launched successfully with minimal disruption to Support Line operations, supported by effective implementation planning, monitoring, and post-launch issue resolution to maximise adoption and service benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter (no more than two pages) explaining why you are interested in this role and how your experience meets the person specification.
RCEW is committed to equal opportunities and actively encourages applications from people with lived experience of sexual violence, and from people from communities which are under-represented in our workforce, including Black and minoritised communities, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ people.
All roles at RCEW are subject to an enhanced DBS check. The post-holder will have access to sensitive data relating to survivors of sexual violence and must demonstrate the highest standards of discretion and data security.
Eligibility
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of this will be required prior to appointment.
Additional Information
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.