National volunteer volunteer jobs in North berwick, east lothian council

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to join GamCare at a pivotal moment, as the organisation launches a new programme focused on preventing and reducing gambling-related harm experienced by individuals affected by another person’s gambling, known as “Affected Others”.

This new role, funded by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), is an opportunity to develop guidance and resources for Affected Others and professionals, alongside designing and delivering peer support services and training. The programme will prioritise support for key groups across England, including men, young adults (18–25), neurodiverse individuals, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

As a Development Coordinator, you will be responsible for producing high-quality guidance, resources, and service developments, ensuring that safety is embedded across all outputs and that lived experience voices inform all aspects of the work. Using an iterative test and learn approach, you will gather insights, contribute to continuous improvement, and adapt resources and services to better meet the needs of target groups.

Key responsibilities 

·Programme Support – Support the Programme Manager in the development of the programme, contributing to delivery against KPIs, timelines, and budget requirements. 

·Resource & Service Development – Develop high-quality online and printed guidance and support for Affected Others and the professionals who support them. Work collaboratively with service teams to support the development of educational peer support and other support services. 

·Matrix Working – Work collaboratively across programmes, including the Women’s Pathway Programme, to ensure resources and services are aligned, avoid duplication, and benefit from shared learning. Build strong internal relationships to support consistent messaging, practice sharing, and continuous improvement. 

·Lived Experience Engagement – Support the active involvement of people with lived experience as Affected Others, ensuring their input informs the co-creation of resources and support services. 

·Stakeholder Engagement – Build and maintain relationships with professionals working with target groups to inform the development of resources and services, and promote programme outputs to relevant audiences. 

·Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) – Embed EDI principles across all outputs, ensuring resources and services are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of target groups. 

·Learning & Insight – Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by applying a test and learn approach, gathering insights to refine and improve resources and services. 

·Impact & Evaluation – Support the collection of data and insights to assess the effectiveness and impact of resources and services. 

·Monitoring & Reporting – Contribute to programme monitoring and reporting by preparing written, statistical, and verbal updates on progress and outcomes.

About you 

The successful candidate will bring experience in developing guidance, resources or services that support positive behaviour change. In addition to this, you will have experience of building relationships and delivering initiatives with volunteers who have lived experience, as well as colleagues and external stakeholders.

Strong organisational skills are essential, along with the ability to manage competing priorities and experience of developing interventions using iterative “test and learn” approaches to build high-quality guidance and support.

About Us

Founded in 1997, GamCare is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. We operate the National Gambling Helpline, provide treatment for anyone who is harmed by gambling, and create awareness about safer gambling and treatment.

Benefits You Can Enjoy

·33 days basic annual leave entitlement per annum (pro-rated for part-time colleagues) including bank holidays which increases with service

·A generous Pension Scheme - we contribute 6% and you contribute 2%

·Discretionary company sick pay from day one of service

·Employee Assistance Programme – 24-hour support
For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 20 May 2026.

Interviews will take place online via video conference – week commencing 1 June 2026.

GamCare are committed to offering the best support to people affected by gambling harms, as such we welcome applications from candidates with lived experience.

GamCare is an equal opportunities employer and doesn’t discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, sexuality, gender identification, or physical ability. We are only able to facilitate visa sponsorship in very limited circumstances, so candidates outside of the UK or who don’t have the right to work in the UK need not apply.

A senior role that sits at the heart of our mission, turning empty and underused buildings into safe, dignified places to live through our Empty Spaces to Homes programme.

 Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (Habitat GB) is part of the global Habitat for Humanity Federation fighting global poverty and homelessness. We believe that a decent home helps to permanently break the cycle of poverty and allows families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance.

Job Purpose

The Head of Construction (Feasibility & Delivery) is a leadership and technical role responsible for the end-to-end development, delivery and stewardship of Habitat GB’s construction and property portfolio.

Key responsibilities include strategic planning and technical leadership for core aspects of Habitat GB’s domestic programme, such as the construction project pipeline associated with our Empty Spaces to Homes (ES2H) programme. The postholder will lead the feasibility, design, costing, procurement and delivery of demonstration construction projects, primarily the conversion of empty commercial and retail buildings into high-quality, affordable homes, while also ensuring the safe, compliant operation and maintenance of HFHGB-owned, leased and operated properties, including ReStore sites.

The Head of Construction (Feasibility & Delivery) is also responsible for the people management of staff, contractors and consultants and (where relevant) volunteers. Key areas of risk management that sit within the portfolio of this role include project and site health & safety, compliance and asset maintenance.

This role is central to translating Habitat GB’s mission and strategy into high-quality, buildable, scalable projects that maximise social impact.

This is a home based role with regular travel.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Construction & Programme Delivery

• Lead the planning, design and delivery of Habitat GB’s demonstration construction projects within the ES2H programme.

• Contribute technical leadership to programme strategy, performance monitoring, evaluation and learning.

• Work collaboratively with other ES2H workstreams (Advocacy, Research, Scalability) to ensure projects inform and support wider systems change.

• Provide expert construction input into organisational decision-making, risk management, and strategy implementation.

Building Pipeline Development & Feasibility

• Lead the identification, assessment and prioritisation of potential conversion opportunities across Great Britain.
• Conduct frequent site visits to assess empty or underutilised commercial buildings.
• Undertake and/or oversee:
  • Building diagnostics and technical surveys
  • Early identification of structural, asbestos, planning, fire and compliance risks
  • Location-based risk profiling (logistics, supply chains, neighbourhood constraints)
• Act as the organisation’s technical authority on building viability and conversion risk.

Design, Specification & Cost Leadership

• Develop initial design concepts, spatial layouts and performance specifications that balance cost‑efficiency, compliance, buildability and the dignity of residents.
• Ensure all designs meet relevant statutory and organisational requirements, including:
  • UK Building Regulations
  • Fire safety and CDM 2015
  • Sustainability and environmental standards
• Provide client side cost leadership and quantity surveying oversight across projects, including:
  • Preparing feasibility cost models, early stage estimates and robust construction budgets
  • Assessing and benchmarking contractor quotations and negotiating best value outcomes aligned with charitable objectives
  • Maintaining effective cost control and financial visibility throughout delivery
• Lead the appointment and management of architects, planning consultants and specialist technical advisors as required.

Construction Delivery, Contractor & Site Management

• Identify, appoint and manage contractors, subcontractors and consultants on a project-by-project basis.
• Ensure projects are delivered: safely; to specification; on time and within approved budgets
• Combine on-site leadership with remote project management, using digital tools, dashboards and reporting systems.
• Maintain a national overview of live and pipeline projects, providing the Executive Team with clear, real-time updates on milestones, risks, spend and cashflow, and delivery confidence.

Health, Safety & Risk Management

• Be responsible for Health & Safety across Habitat GB’s construction and property portfolio.
• Ensure full compliance with relevant legislation, including CDM 2015.
• Oversee:
  • Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
  • Training and inductions
  • Incident reporting and corrective actions
• Ensure a strong safety culture across construction sites and property sites, working closely with the Site & Property Maintenance Officer to delivery their responsibilities successfully and safely.
• Work with colleagues to ensure appropriate insurances are in place.

Financial Management & Reporting

· Own construction and maintenance budgets, ensuring strong financial control and value for money.

· Lead procurement processes for works, materials, and equipment.

· Work closely with Finance to ensure accurate forecasting, cost tracking, and timely payment of invoices.

· Maintain robust project management tools, trackers, schedules, and cost sheets.

· Provide regular input into organisational performance reporting, risk registers, and assurance processes.

People Leadership & Culture

· Line-manage and support direct reports, setting clear objectives, and providing regular supervision and development.

· Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing, values-driven team and contractor network.

· Ensure good practice management of consultants, contractors and volunteers.

· Role model Habitat GB’s values, including commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Person profile:

· Extensive experience in UK construction project management, particularly refurbishment and conversion projects, with responsibility spanning early feasibility through to delivery.

· Strong technical understanding of:

• UK Building Regulations and fire safety requirements

• Permitted Development rights and planning constraints

• Health & Safety management, including CDM 2015

· Strong client‑side commercial judgement, with proven ability to develop feasibility cost models, set and manage construction budgets, and maintain effective cost control across projects.

· Demonstrated experience appointing and managing contractors, consultants and procurement processes to deliver best‑value outcomes.

· Strong leadership and people management experience, including the ability to lead teams, contractors and consultants with credibility and clarity.

· Relevant construction or built‑environment qualification, or equivalent senior professional experience (e.g. MCIOB, MRICS or similar).

· Valid CSCS card.

· Recognised Health & Safety qualification (e.g. IOSH or SMSTS).

· Full UK driving licence.

Skills and competencies:

· Technically confident and commercially astute, with the ability to exercise sound professional judgement and make high-quality decisions in complex or ambiguous situations.

· Comfortable operating across strategic leadership and hands-on problem solving, particularly within refurbishment and conversion projects.

· Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise effectively across multiple concurrent workstreams, sites and geographies.

· Confident and collaborative communicator, able to work productively with internal teams, partners, volunteers, contractors and external stakeholders.

· Willing and able to travel extensively across Great Britain in support of project development and delivery.

To apply for the role, please send us your CV and a supporting statement (max two sides of A4) telling us about the skills and experience you would bring to the role and your motivation for applying, using the link on our website. Closing date is Monday 25th May 2026.

Senior Events and Community Fundraising Officer  

Salary: Band C, £32,106 - £38,460 (depending on experience) 

Hours: 35 per week with the option to work a compressed 9 day fortnight. Other types of flexible working would be considered. 

Contract: Permanent 

Location: Home based, with occasional travel to London area for team meetings and nationally to attend fundraising events and meet supporters

Reports to: Individual Giving Manager

Applicants must be UK-based and hold the right to work in the UK 

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, proactive community and events fundraiser with great project management and relationship building skills. You’ll be responsible for leading on a varied portfolio of fundraising activity, identifying new supporters, stewarding existing supporters and delivering community fundraising products and campaigns. 

Events and Community Fundraising is an established income stream at Breast Cancer UK but we know there is potential to grow, so we’re investing in proactively developing the area. This role is an opportunity for a talented fundraiser - with at least three years of experience working in Challenge Events and/or Community Fundraising and a strong track record of delivering results – to take a lead on these income streams and build something amazing. You’ll need a strong understanding of how to deliver excellent supporter experiences, and the ability to spot trends and opportunities aligned with our audiences and our brand, and capitalise on them. 

You will have opportunities to expand your skills and expertise and really own your area, as part of a small but mighty fundraising team. If you are highly motivated, collaborative, love building relationships and working as part of a friendly and supportive team, we want to hear from you!

What do we do? 

In the UK today, around 59,000 women and 420 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. 1 in 7 women will develop the disease at some point in their lives. 

But we believe in a future where fewer people have to face this devastating disease - because we know that at least 30% of breast cancer cases are preventable. 

By making changes to modifiable lifestyle and environmental risk factors, we can drive cases down. Our focus on prevention is unique - we are shining a light on the changes we can make at an individual and societal level to prevent breast cancer.

To achieve this, we: 

• Deliver an education programme - empowering individuals with trustworthy, science-backed information and guidance to help them understand and reduce their risk. 
• Fund research into the causes of breast cancer —while significant progress has been made in improving survival rates through new treatments, we are dedicated to ensuring fewer people ever receive a diagnosis.
• Run campaigns - to increase public understanding of the risk factors for breast cancer, such as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, and to influence policy-makers and industry, to protect consumers and provide safer alternatives. 

Not all breast cancers can be avoided, but we need a united movement for prevention, to tackle this devastating disease head on. We believe that everyone in society should be able to do something about breast cancer before it happens.

Why join us? 

• To be part of a fantastic supportive team. 
• Work for an organisation that values a positive and inclusive culture. 
• Fully remote working. 
• Competitive salary of £32,106 - £38,460 PA (depending on experience) 
• 29.5 Days Annual Leave Plus Bank Holidays. 
• Option for full time colleagues to compress hours and work a 9 day fortnight. 
• Healthcare cover and employee assistance programme. 
• Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity pay. 
• Great supportive culture with generous professional training and development programmes. 
• For full details see our website

How to apply 

The closing date for applications is Monday 1st June at 9am.

To apply for this position please complete the application form and a Equality and Diversity monitoring Form found on our website  The full Job Description can be found in the Recruitment Pack 

Interviews 

First round interviews will be held virtually w/c 8th June

We anticipate holding a second round w/c 15th June 

For further information on the charity see our website   

At Breast Cancer UK, we're dedicated to being a caring and welcoming place, where everyone feels supported and employees feel like they belong. Our aim is to create an inclusive culture where our employees can reach their full potential, without prejudice and discrimination. We value respect, understanding, and the richness that diversity brings. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities and abilities.  

Join Us in Making a Difference at Marie Curie

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity, dedicated to ensuring that everyone facing the end of life has access to the care, support, and dignity they deserve. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK and the only organisation to operate across all four nations. Through our network of community nursing, hospice care, and comprehensive information and support, we are here for people and families when they need us most.

Your Role in Our Vision

The Stories Officer is a pivotal role within our high-performing Stories team, helping ensure authentic lived experiences sit at the heart of everything we do at Marie Curie.

In this role you’ll work with people at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Not only patients, but families, carers and volunteers, and people affected by poor end-of-life experiences, financial instability and inequality. Some of these stories are hopeful and life-affirming; others are complex, emotional and challenging. You’ll also work with our nurses and healthcare assistants to showcase the dedication and pride they bring to the expert care they provide every day across the UK.

You’ll seek out, gather and steward powerful lived experiences, ensuring they are handled with care, dignity and responsibility, and used ethically and impactfully across our campaigns and communications.

This is a role for someone who combines excellent storytelling skills with deep empathy, resilience and strong organisational ability. You’ll be trusted with people’s stories at a time when trust really matters.

What you’ll be doing

• Sourcing, interviewing and writing accurate, emotive personal stories that reflect a wide range of end-of-life experiences, including both the impact of Marie Curie’s work and the realities faced by those without access to good care
• Speaking sensitively with people about deeply personal experiences, including diagnosis, grief, financial instability and poor end-of-life care, and supporting them throughout the storytelling process
• Working collaboratively with Social, PR, Fundraising, Caring Services and Communications teams to shape and adapt stories for different audiences and channels, including social media, our website, PR & media and fundraising appeals
• Managing storytelling elements within priority, sometimes fast-moving campaigns, often juggling multiple workstreams and deadlines at the same time
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with storytellers and Caring Services colleagues, ensuring contributors feel informed, respected and in control of how their experiences are shared
• Managing consent, permissions and storyteller records in line with GDPR and organisational policies
• Championing inclusive, ethical storytelling and best practice across the charity, balancing organisational need with individual wellbeing

What you’ll bring

You’ll have experience from a stories, content, PR or fundraising role within a charity or purpose-driven organisation, alongside a strong instinct for human-centred storytelling.

You’re emotionally intelligent and resilient, able to manage boundaries while working with people going through difficult times, while also managing competing priorities and demands.

You’ll also bring:

• Excellent writing, editing and interviewing skills, with strong attention to detail
• Experience sourcing and adapting stories for different channels, including social media and PR
• The ability to manage multiple projects and workloads at once, prioritising effectively in a busy, multi-tasking environment
• Confidence to build trusted relationships and influence colleagues collaboratively
• A clear understanding of GDPR, informed consent and ethical story usage
• Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion in a storytelling context
• Experience using CMS or asset management systems, and adapting quickly to new digital tools

This role is deeply rewarding, but it isn’t always easy. You’ll hear difficult stories and work at pace during high-profile campaigns. We’re looking for someone who shares our values, understands the realities of end-of-life inequality, and is committed to telling human stories with honesty, compassion and purpose.

Please see full job description

Application Process 

As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and to fill out our application questions. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role. 

Close date for applications: Friday 29th May 2026 (We anticipate strong interest in this role and may close the vacancy early, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.)

Salary: £29,000 (plus London Weighting £3,500 were applicable)

Contract: Full time, perm

Based: Homebased role or Hyrbid remote if London based.

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding.  We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings.  We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us at .

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Strategic Lead for Systems Change 

Starting Salary: £59,098 (if London-based); £55,587 (if not London-based) 
Contract: Full-time, 2-year Fixed-Term Contract (we are open to conversations about flexibility - so please ask) 
Location: Remote role - can be based anywhere in England or Wales with an expectation of regular travel across England and Wales including overnight trips to London 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role 

This is a key role strengthening the Foundation’s ability to work confidently within complex local systems and to support systems change across England and Wales. You will play a central role in shaping and developing our systems change approach, ensuring it is practical, consistent and embedded across our work in places. 

You will work closely with regional teams and partners to support effective collaboration within local systems, ensuring our work is well-informed by context and lived experience. A key part of the role is enabling others - building confidence, capability and practical understanding of systems change across the organisation. 

This is not a delivery-heavy role. Instead, you will focus on enabling, coaching and strengthening practice so that colleagues and partners are better equipped to work within complexity and drive meaningful change. 

About You 

We are looking for someone with strong, practical experience of working within systems change, place-based work or complex multi-stakeholder environments. You will bring confidence in working across boundaries and supporting others to navigate complexity. 

You will be skilled in coaching, facilitation and capability building, with the ability to translate systems thinking into practical approaches others can use. Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work credibly with a wide range of stakeholders will be essential. 

A commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging is essential. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information available in the Candidate pack.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. If you are a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria, we will invite you to interview. 

We are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we work with. We actively welcome applications from people under-represented in the charity sector, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with lived experience of the issues our funded charities address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Midday, Monday 8th June 2026 

Optional Q&A Session: Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 09:00-10:00 

First Interview: Wednesday 17th June 2026 

Second Interview: Friday 26th June 2026 

JOB TITLE: Community Support Worker

RESPONSIBLE TO:  Community and Families Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Part-time 28hours (evening and weekend work will be required)

LOCATION: Hybrid – in person community delivery across Scotland, with requirements to attend office base in Edinburgh and home working possible. (Car driver with access to own transport desirable)

DURATION: Fixed term 24 months (with potential for extension, funding allowing)

SALARY / GRADE:Grade 3 / £24479 per annum fte – pro-rata

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Community and Families Manager

• Head of Community Services and communities team

• Adoption UK Scotland and Kinship service colleagues 

• The Adoption and Kinship Community in Scotland 

• Local Authorities and external commissioners 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• To support the community work of Adoption UK Scotland community support services, to plan and deliver community events, provide professionals, parents/carers, children, and young people access to information, resources, and services and to engage with families in their local communities. 

• To offer a front-line service, primarily to adoptive and kinship families, and care experienced individuals and young people, by supporting delivery and administration for activities and events, including regular support groups delivery, youth and teens/young adults, and family events. Support of events across Scotland based on resources and availability.

• Support planning, organisation of, and attendance at, in person and online events through funded projects and services to bring together adopted and care-experienced individuals and young people and adoptive and kinship families, enable peer support, build a sense of community and promote an active and supportive Community Network. 

• To respond to enquiries received via the Information and Support Service and relevant email inboxes with relevant information and/or signposting.

• To be part of the wider communities within Adoption UK Scotland, working across teams and services. 

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across all services areas of Adoption UK 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working alongside service leads within the communities team, and with the wider Adoption UK Scotland team members to plan and deliver specific events and activities for adoptive and kinship community members, and care experienced children and young people via our E Project youth service for children, teens and young adults.

• Provide administrative coordination for community event provision, including collating event materials, gathering feedback and evaluations for reporting purposes, supporting delivery of events, maintaining records using existing required systems, and responding to enquiries via our Information and Support line and relevant email inboxes.

• Working alongside Communications colleagues and across teams to ensure promotion of events to relevant target groups 

• Attending events to promote the wider work of AUK Scotland at conferences or support groups

• To hold responsibility for administrative requirements relating to community events, including setting up booking pages, sharing information via newsletters and social media, and recording service delivery interactions, using existing Adoption UK systems and processes

• To work with colleagues in the Foundations for Families kinship support service to support delivery and coordinate activities between services where appropriate.

• To report to line manager and directors in Adoption UK Scotland relating to service delivery, including contributing to monitoring and reporting on activities. 

• To work alongside Adoption UK colleagues to develop and improve resources and services for our communities.

Criteria

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & KNOWLEDGE

• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges faced by care experienced families. (Essential)
• Experience of engagement and direct work with families and/or young people (Essential)
• Experience of facilitation of in person and online groups (or commitment to learn) and commitment to digital safeguarding (Essential)
• Relevant degree or qualification (e.g. community work, social sciences) or equivalent experience (Desirable)

Skills and abilities

• Report writing and record keeping (Essential)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
• Ability to build and maintain relationships (Essential)
• The ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) (Essential)

Accountability

• Liaise with colleagues to share updates and information
• Report to supervisor and relevant managers and external commissioners on activities

Behaviours

• Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values and mission in all interactions with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.
• Follows all policies and procedures relating to risk assessments, safeguarding and youth service delivery
• Contributes to an open and honest culture
• Encourages challenge and creativity, transparency and consistency.
• Leads by example.
• Offers outstanding service to members.
• Promotes cross functional team working, sharing skills and knowledge
• Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.
• Valuing the opinion of other. Treating colleagues and other stakeholders with respect.
• Takes pride in own development, committed to achieving high standards and agreed objectives

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.  ​

• Directorate: Innovation, Policy & Systems Change
• Reporting into: Associate Director of Research, Learning and Systems Change
• Colleagues reporting into role: No direct reports at present. However, coaching and managing of volunteers and/or consultants is expected. 
• Location: You can be home-based anywhere in the UK, with travel for meetings. You can also choose to work from our Bristol or London offices.
• Closing date: Monday 8 June at 12 midday
• Interview dates: Monday 15 June and Tuesday 16 June (please tell us in your application if you cannot attend interview on one of these days)

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.

We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise well-being. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.

About the role

We’re looking for a Head of Research & Evidence to join our ambitious Research, Learning & Systems Change Team. 

Young Lives vs Cancer has a strong and growing commitment to changing the system for children and young people with cancer, and their loved ones. Our North Star vision and Time is Now Strategy focus on influencing how the wider system works – from services and policy to practice on the ground – so that families get the support they need.

The Head of Research and Evidence sits in the Research, Learning & Systems Change team, within our Innovation, Policy & Systems Change Directorate. The role is responsible for ensuring our work is grounded in strong, credible and useful evidence, and that learning is actively used to shape decisions, practice and change across the system.

This is a leadership role within a small but ambitious team. You will set direction and provide thought leadership, but you will also be hands on – designing, commissioning, managing and using research alongside colleagues and partners.

Building trusted relationships and using evidence to influence thinking and action are central. You will work with colleagues, children and young people, families, and partner organisations (such as the North Star Cancer Collective) to learn, strengthen credibility and create change.

This role is subject to a Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application, a Basic Criminal Record Check will be completed. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. You’ll work as part of a strong internal team, collaborating closely with colleagues across the organisation and with key external partners to generate, use and apply evidence that supports learning, influence and system change. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description and pack:

• You’ll be setting the direction for research and learning, leading a clear and purposeful research programme focused on the psychosocial experiences of children and young people with cancer. You’ll ensure research is high‑quality, ethical and impactful, including commissioning work with partners and contributing to research funding bids.

• You’ll be understanding needs and experiences to grow a strong, credible evidence base, building and using robust evidence on need, inequality, impact and progress to inform strategy, services, policy and system change. You’ll ensure children, young people and families meaningfully shape research and that insight is shared in clear, practical ways.

• You’ll be providing system insight and leadership, analysing how the system works, identifying trends and pressures, and using evidence to guide where change is most needed. You’ll build trusted relationships across the voluntary sector, NHS and research community, sharing learning and strengthening our credibility and influence.

• You’ll be turning learning into action and influence, helping teams apply research to real‑world practice and supporting testing, learning and improvement over time. You’ll put feedback and learning loops in place and assess how research‑informed change is affecting practice and outcomes.

What do I need? 

Diverse perspectives and unique skill sets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• Experience leading and delivering research, including setting direction, choosing methods, commissioning or carrying out research, analysing data, and ensuring high quality and ethical practice.

• Strong research and analytical skills, with confidence working with both qualitative and quantitative data and evidence, and turning insight into practical action.

• Experience using evidence to support change, such as shaping strategy, influencing policy, improving services or supporting system change.

• Experience working across organisations, building trusted relationships with colleagues, partners, and where appropriate, children, young people and families.

• Ability to communicate complex research clearly and accessibly to different audiences, in writing and in conversation.

• A collaborative way of working, with strong people skills, curiosity and a learning mindset, and a clear commitment to equity, inclusion and anti‑oppressive practice.

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Well-being, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value AI adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

To hear more about this role, please sign up to one of our informal drop in sessions taking place at 12:30pm on Tuesday 26th May and 17:30pm on Monday 01st June.

#ShowTheSalary #NonGraduatesWelcome

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