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Are you looking for a pivotal role which will shape the future of a CIC and Charity working on key challenges in housing, education and employment? Are you excited to take on a strategic post which will demonstrably improve the charity’s work with its service users, supporters and other key stakeholders? If so, we’d love to hear from you! 

Kineara is looking for an experienced Communications Manager who can grow our fundraising potential and engage key stakeholders across the sector, while shaping and delivering communications and outreach campaigns that demonstrate our social value proposition and grow our support base. They will play a key role in helping Kineara grow our communications channels, increase audience engagement, expand our fundraising potential through data-driven campaigns and powerful storytelling; and build strategic relationships with existing and potential funders.

You will work closely with project managers and the Senior Leadership Team to shape communications around our key delivery areas including identifying how support services can reduce barriers to secure housing, work and school; prevent evictions and homelessness; and improve health and wellbeing of people facing challenges. You’ll use this understanding and data to shape impact storytelling and communications with existing and new stakeholders.

You will feel real ownership over your work and need to be self-starting, flexible and hungry to grow within an already impactful charity with a strong social mission and vision. You will be keen to understand how our work makes a difference to people and use our impact to demonstrate our social value.This role crosscuts a range of key specialisations, so you may have experience working in communications and be keen to widen your skillset; you may have a background in impact evaluation, you may have experience in curating digital content for charities; or you may have worked in fundraising or development for a non-profit. We are keen to invite candidates with a range of experience from a variety of non-profit roles and are especially interested to meet candidates who have been part of, or are ready to be part of, the strategic growth of a social organisation. 

Why us, now? Kineara is going through exciting changes as we rapidly expand our service user base and are opening up new avenues of finance, engagement and growth. Our most recent projects have put us at the forefront of innovative ways of delivering support to private renters or those living in temporary accommodation, working in partnership with housing services, private landlords, local authorities, solicitors and health services to envision secure housing for all. We are also a team with lived experience and are a culturally diverse, spirited and mission-focused team that takes care of each other. 

Why you? You are motivated by seeing people who have experienced marginalisation or vulnerability thrive and you have the drive to grow the reach of our organisation so that more people in need can access our support. You have a wide skillset and open attitude, ready to learn what you don’t already know and confident to lead on your projects but understand the value of listening, collaboration and working towards joint and shared ambitions.

Key Responsibilities 

Communications & PR 

• Develop, contribute to and implement impact-driven and strategic communications campaigns that build Kineara’s presence across its wide audiences and expand its fundraising potential

• Manage digital content strategy for Kineara, including producing short from video content, promotional videos, infographics, interviews, thought leadership, impact storytelling, case studies etc. to grow Kineara’s digital and social media footprint 

• Work collaboratively with practitioners and the housing projects manager to regularly develop and publish information sheets, resources and content on Kineara’s website

• Plan and manage campaigns and petitions that influence policy and shape key decisions affecting our client group 

• Ensure consistent implementation of Kineara’s brand messaging across all organisational engagements, campaigns, and materials, in alignment with Kineara’s identity, mission, vision, and core values. 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets to proactively promote Kineara’s work, including identifying relevant media opportunities, pitching compelling stories, responding to media inquiries 

• Work closely with IT and business managers to ensure smooth running of internal communications 

• Maintain and expand Kineara’s website and its functionality to meet the growing needs of the organisation 

Fundraising 

• Develop positive relationships with a range of stakeholders providing funding to charities, including in the third sector, public sector, and the business sector, to raise awareness and promote our work 

• Contribute to grant and tender applications, and manage and coordinate work of external consultants supporting grant writing process where applicable 

• Manage and administer online fundraising platforms, and develop accessible, persuasive campaigns for public donations. 

Impact 

• Work closely with Operations Manager and practitioners to embed outcomes, utilise and optimise frameworks for monitoring and evaluate Kineara’s projects; and produce yearly evaluations and Impact Report of Kineara’s services 

• Utilise CRM software such as Advice Pro to generate data-driven impact analysis and develop evidence-based communications materials for donors, funders and stakeholders

• Use learning from impact analysis to share with team and deliver impact-driven communications and to share our social value to funders and other stakeholders. 

Business 

• Contribute to development of business plans and strategic decision-making, working with the CEO, Finance Lead and Operations Lead (SLT) 

Person Specification 

With a strong alignment with Kineara’s values, you will be: 

• An outstanding communicator who can engage, inspire and support colleagues, donors, trustees, volunteers and other stakeholders. 
• Confident in promoting thought leadership to share our knowledge to develop external alliances and discuss topical issues online
• Passionate about addressing poverty and inequality, and commitment to equality and diversity
• A self-starter and a team player, with a flair for building relationships.
• A creative communicator with a strong awareness of current and emerging trends in the charity communications sector, who proactively develops innovative and effective ways to communicate charitable causes, drive engagement, and inspire support. 
• Adept at big picture thinking and project management, but also be able to engage with the detail to ensure projects are successfully completed. 
• Comfortable with and skilled at change management and relish the strengths and challenges of a small and dynamic team in an evolving organisation.
• Analytical and reflective, but with excellent time management and ability to work under pressure.

Experience and Skills 

We’d like to see a strong track record that is relevant to each of the key components of the role, although we recognise that you may have stronger experience in one or more areas. You will be able to demonstrate that you could deliver in:
 

• Planning, executing, achieving targets to grow income streams, including donor prospect research, developing new donor relationships, and grant writing.
• Working on effective online or offline fundraising campaigns that influence a range of stakeholders, with a reflective, creative and innovative approach. 
• Using impact and outcomes to engage and promote services to funders, partners and other stakeholders.
• Developing brands and brand awareness in line with organisational objectives 
• Creating communications plans in support of strategic objectives, and executing these to a high standard, reflecting and improving these to achieve greater impact. 
• Familiarity with social media channels such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and solid experience of content creation and website management
• Creating and executing community, outreach and fundraising events. 
• Strong IT skills and familiarity with CRM databases, MS Office, Word Press.
• Ability to put together and manage project budgets.
• Creating, developing and adapting outcomes tools such as survey, questionnaires, and focus groups 
• Planning, creating and executing evaluations of projects, including creating surveys, events, questionnaires and feedback tools 
• Managing communications/fundraising officers and external consultants

How to apply 

To apply for the role, please send an up-to-date CV and a cover letter (up to two pages). Please provide concrete examples and experience where possible, however we are open to hearing how you might develop or demonstrate these abilities or attributes if you have not yet had many years of experience in the field. You can also include:  

• Why you wish to apply for this role   

• Your relevant experience, knowledge and skills, based on the person specification above.   

• What other qualities you have that you could bring to the role   

Please note we will be shortlisting candidates as we receive applications and reserve the right to close the advert before deadline date if the right candidate comes along.

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and forward-thinking Capital Project Manager to oversee the management and development of the school estate.

Reporting to the Head of Estates and Projects and working with the estates team, you will be responsible for delivering the capital developments across the estate, including a focus on new schools, sustainability projects and efficiency standards.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing SCA project priorities, budgets and delivery from inception to end of defects
• Managing the opening and delivery of new free schools with the DfE, design teams and local authorities
• Managing and supporting estate condition, maintenance and asset management
• Managing capital elements of academy conversion projects
• Planning, procuring and delivering high-quality estate and project services
• Managing and monitoring external technical advisors
• Managing health & safety across all project lifecycles
• Managing third-party suppliers and consultants
• Managing consultations, admissions, branding, marketing, FF&E and uniforms for new schools
• Providing professional property services and ensuring compliance with legislation and regulations
• Assisting with estate-related policies, procedures and statutory frameworks
• Contributing to capital fund prioritisation and overseeing capital projects
• Assisting in developing a carbon reduction strategy
• Managing and supporting key building programmes and reporting to senior leaders
• Contributing to monthly project performance reports

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• A relevant undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a project management environment
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Project management experience within education, not-for-profit or public sector 
• Experience of coordinating projects in complex and challenging environments
• Demonstrable successful delivery of project outputs to required time, quality and cost
• The ability to interpret and present complex information to inform robust recommendations for evidence-based practice and decision-making
• Proven and well-developed interpersonal skills, including excellent written and spoken communication
• Good administrative, finance and organisational skills
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 applications, including strong Excel skills
• The ability to work independently and flexibly with your own initiative on various ongoing projects
• A professional working ethic and a commitment to high standards
• The ability to ensure that confidentiality is always maintained
• The ability to upskill oneself with new areas of expertise

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.

Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.

When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.

A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.

OUR VISION & VALUES

Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.

We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

About the role

We are seeking an ambitious, strategic and relationship-driven Head of Corporate and Employer Partnerships to lead and deliver a national, high-impact partnerships strategy. This role is central to our growth plans and will generate sustainable income, deepen corporate and employer engagement and create tangible employment outcomes for young people. You will combine commercial instinct with social purpose - building partnerships that deliver measurable impact for young people and clear strategic value for corporate and employer partners. 

Key information

• Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 dependant on experience
• Contract: Full time, Monday-Friday, 9.30 – 5.30mpm with some out of hours work needed for events such as Spear Celebration
• Annual leave: 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing date: Tuesday 7th April, 09.30am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
• Significant senior-level experience in corporate fundraising, corporate social responsibility, business development or strategic partnerships
• Significant experience within the corporate sector, with an established network of relationships across national businesses and employers
• Proven experience of delivering growth strategies and achieving income target, with a strong track record of securing and managing high-value (£100k+) partnerships
• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing high-performing teams
• Credible, confident and persuasive communicator with excellent relational skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite
• Resourceful and proactive, ability to manage multiple priorities, drive projects forward to completion and establish effective processes and structures

We are an office-based organisation and value the collaboration and opportunities to work creatively and build community that this offers us, with staff spending time in the working week both at home and in the London office.

Communications Assistant

• 15 hours per week at £15.00 an hour (Actual salary £11,700 - FTE £27,300)
• Hours may be worked flexibly over a minimum of 3 days a week
• Home based with occasional prearranged in person meetings

The Communications Assistant will provide hands-on support to the Communications Manager in the ideation, creation and delivery of our regular external communications. This includes helping to grow our social media following, creating and scheduling content, sourcing and designing images, providing copywriting support, and responding to comments across our channels. The role will also involve drafting and scheduling newsletters and providing administrative support with our databases.

This is a 15‑hour‑per‑week role, with the potential to grow in the future. Ideally, we are looking for someone who can spread their hours across the week to support consistent content delivery, but we are open to discussing alternative working patterns for the right candidate.

The successful candidate will have experience in a communications, marketing or social media role. They will be proficient in Adobe Illustrator and have basic video editing and/or animation skills. Strong copywriting skills and the ability to adapt tone of voice for different channels are essential, as is confidence using Mailchimp or similar email marketing platforms.

We are a busy remote team, and this role offers plenty of scope to work autonomously and flexibly. You’ll gain experience across a wide range of areas and develop your skills in a supportive, hands‑on environment, with opportunities to contribute to the creative direction of our communications.

Closing date: 19th April 2026

Interviews: 29th April 2026

Funding Operations Manager

12 Month Fixed Term Contract – Maternity Cover

£37,199 - £44,246 pa

City of London E1 8QS and we are a hybrid working organisation

Please note this is a hybrid role based on the successful candidate working at least two days a week in our London office. Remote contracts would not be considered for this role.

Purpose of Role

This role plays a key part in enabling the smooth running of the Comic Relief Funding Department by developing, maintaining and co-ordinating the efficient and effective management of Funding Department financial and operations processes and systems. 

This post will work closely with the Funding leadership team and key posts across wider Comic Relief to ensure that Comic Relief’s funding practice is enabled through consistent and efficient financial and operational policies, processes and systems. 

Key responsibilities:

Financial responsibilities 

· Work with the Head of Funding Operations and Approaches to oversee , manage and drive the financial aspects of Comic Relief’s grant making within the Funding Department.  This includesbeing the first point of contact for Funding Department colleagues for queries relating to grant making financial processes and systems, initially troubleshooting problems and looking for ways to improve funding team financial systems, streamline funding financial team processes and generally make Funding Department financial operations more efficient

· Act as the Funding Team focal point for Finance, maintaining good communications and relationships with the CR Finance Team.

· Proactively identify risks relating to grant finances and operations, working with colleagues in the Finance and Funding Departments to propose solutions to resolve issues that may arise. 

· Support the development and delivery of training on Funding Team Financial Systems for Funding Department colleagues.

· Co-ordinate monthly payments to funded partners and assist Funding Team colleagues with trouble shooting, ensuring that payments are made on time

· Co-ordinate monthly delegated decision making on funding, including ensuring papers are submitted, and liaising with Finance to ensure funds are subsequently allocated accurately. 

· Co-ordinate processes around CR trustee board and sub-committee board approval of funding, including liaison with finance and other colleagues

· Support the Funding Director with accurate forecasting, reporting and record keeping on CR Grant Making activity, including the development and implementation of systems for tracking grant making, and the preparation of reports. 

Operations responsibilities 

· Proactively support the Head of Funding Operations and Approaches, the Funding Director, and other Funding Team heads on the development of grant giving operational policies, processes and systems, looking for opportunities to improve systems and processes to ensure efficient and consistent grant giving practice

· Support the Head of Operations and Approaches with the continual development and operationalisation of the funding handbook, including working closely and responsively with compliance, legal, finance and data teams, and proactively supporting the implementation of the funding handbook internally within the Funding Department. 

· Act as the Funding Team focal point for data queries, maintaining good communications and relationships with the CR Data Team

· Work with colleagues within CR’s data function to support the ongoing maintenance and efficient use of the Salesforce Grant Management System, in line with Funding Department operational needs

· Be the internal first point of contact within the Funding Team for queries about the Salesforce Grant Making database, initially troubleshooting problems where possible, and providing basic training to new and existing members of the funding team. 

· As requested, and as resource allows, carry out ad hoc research requests on CR’s funding utilising the Salesforce Grant Making database. 

· Assist colleagues within the Funding Team with queries around potential funded partner assessments, compliance and financial checks, and, as resource allows, assist with these assessments and checks. .

· Support with fulfilling Comic Relief commitments to initiatives such as IATI and 360 Giving

· Support the Funding team with any other finance or operations related tasks and projects as requested by the Director of Funding or Head of Operations and Approaches. 

Person specification

Essential criteria

· Experience in developing, implementing and managing financial systems and processes. 

· Knowledge and experience of grant management systems

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.

· Able to work proactively and independently; able to carry out multiple tasks, prioritise, take initiative, and work to deadlines in an organised manner

· Excellent attention to detail, time management and organisation skills..

· Good communication skills, written and oral.

· Collaborative, cross-functional approach that engages colleagues, partner organisations and stakeholders.  Good relationship management skills, able to work as part of a team

· Self-motivated and driven, with the adaptability to collaboratively navigate unforeseen challenges.

· An understanding or lived experience of social injustice, and proven track record of working in alignment with Comic Relief’s commitment to social justice, anti-racism, diversity, inclusion and equity.

Desirable criteria 

· Experience in working with databases

· Skills in data collection, analysis and reporting.

· Experience of carrying out desk-based research.

Perks and benefits:

· Flexible working hours

· Work from home option

· Life Insurance

· Wellness programs

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

· Paid emergency leave

· Sabbatical Opportunities

· Professional development

· Mentoring/coaching

· Paid volunteer days

· Payroll giving

· Salary sacrifice

· Team social events

· Extracurricular clubs

· Cycle to work scheme

· Free fruit

To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Comic Relief reserves the right to close the role early if a large number of applications are received.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Comic Relief we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why work at Comic Relief

There are lots of good reasons to join us at Comic Relief. You can read more about our employee benefits, such as our commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We ask staff to come to the office twice a week, normally on agreed team days, so that we can do all those things that are difficult to do online. Our office is based in Whitechapel, London,

There are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and experience at Comic Relief, including opportunities to become a Mental Health First Aider or to participate in our Employee Network Groups that focus on making Comic Relief a more inclusive place to work.

Disability Confident Employer

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we take positive action by providing first-round interviews to candidates who have a registered disability, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the role, as demonstrated on their CV and application questions.

We ask that candidates that wish to be considered for this scheme email us via our website to discuss further. Please do not email CV's/cover letters.

Portfolio Manager, Funding Department

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

£45,905 - £48,848 pa

City of London E1 8QS and we are a hybrid working organisation

Please note this is a hybrid role based on the successful candidate working at least two days a week in our London office. Remote contracts would not be considered for this role.

Purpose of Role

The Portfolio Manager plays a key role in the success of Comic Relief’s team responsible for grants that address the effects of poverty. This role is focused on food insecurity in the UK.

The Portfolio Manager will hold direct responsibility for new Comic Relief grant making and ongoing grant management in the UK, ensuring excellent grant making practice.

The Portfolio Manager will collaborate with other teams in the funding department and across the wider organisation to support Comic Relief’s overall objectives, including income generation.

This role sits in a team that also focuses on areas such as homelessness, early childhood development, maternal and child health, and forced migration.

Key responsibilities:

Grant making and ongoing grant management

· Manage new grant making, including working with colleagues to design funding opportunities, assessing funded partners, designing appropriate ongoing support mechanisms, and working with learning colleagues in the Funding Team on appropriate data collection

· Manage assigned funding portfolios and relationships with funded partners, ensuring that the portfolio is managed in a timely and responsive way, using Comic Relief’s (CR’s) systems and processes.

· Coordinate with other colleagues across the different teams in the funding department to ensure effective and efficient ways of working, and fruitful collaboration and learning across different funded issues and areas.

· Manage all ongoing requirements, such as narrative, financial and risk reporting, collaborating across the funding team and wider Comic Relief as appropriate.

· Work with the Assurance and Finance teams to ensure ongoing compliance across the portfolio with legal requirements, our grant conditions, reporting requirements and best practice.

· Collaborate with Partnerships colleagues to manage donor reporting and other information needs for external and internal use, such as information about our funded work and our partners.

Cross organisation and sector collaboration

· Support resource mobilisation partnerships through collaborative and supportive working with Comic Relief’s communications, fundraising and partnership teams.

· Work with the Partnerships Team to support strong relationships with existing and potential co-funding partners, including corporates and/or trusts, foundations and institutions, and support proposal development, reporting and other requirements.

· Work collaboratively across CR to support storytelling around CR’s impact.

· Develop a good understanding of areas of social change within assigned funding portfolios and areas of new grant making to be able to represent Comic Relief’s funding and priorities to internal and external stakeholders

· Contribute to internal communications regarding the work of the team and the wider Funding Team.

· Represent Comic Relief to strategic partners and co-funders, in relevant networks, and at external events.

General

· Manage the work of consultants and other contractors as required.

· Communicate in an open, honest and transparent way with funding applicants, funded partners and funding partners.

· Ensure that, when applicable, people with lived or learned experience are actively engaged with our work, contributing to the design and decision-making process of our funding portfolios.

Note: Some UK and/or international travel may be required for this role.

Person specification

Essential criteria

· Significant understanding/experience of the systems and structures that perpetuate social injustice and keep people trapped in poverty, including the best approaches to address them

· Experience and knowledge of grant making and programme design, including developing, implementing and evaluating programmes, and managing grants within a donor and / or implementing organisation.

· Experience of managing restricted donor funding and supporting ongoing donor management (e.g. government funding and/or funding from other institutions, trusts foundations or corporate entities)

· Personal and effective relationship builder with high emotional intelligence to nurture trust and respect in all relationships.

· Motivation, flexibility and resilience to navigate unforeseen challenges and collaborate effectively.

· Analytical thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture and make appropriate and effective decisions.

· An understanding or lived experience of social injustice, and proven track record of working in alignment with Comic Relief’s commitment to social justice, anti-racism, diversity, inclusion and equity

Desirable criteria 

· Experience with or knowledge of decolonising philanthropy and the wider funding sector

· Understanding of, and commitment to, the use of storytelling to engage the public in programmatic work

· Experience of budget management

Perks and benefits:

· Flexible working hours

· Work from home option

· Life Insurance

· Wellness programs

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

· Paid emergency leave

· Sabbatical Opportunities

· Professional development

· Mentoring/coaching

· Paid volunteer days

· Payroll giving

· Salary sacrifice

· Team social events

· Extracurricular clubs

· Cycle to work scheme

· Free fruit

To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Comic Relief reserves the right to close the role early if a large number of applications are received.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Comic Relief we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why work at Comic Relief

There are lots of good reasons to join us at Comic Relief. You can read more about our employee benefits, such as our commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We ask staff to come to the office twice a week, normally on agreed team days, so that we can do all those things that are difficult to do online. Our office is based in Whitechapel, London,

There are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and experience at Comic Relief, including opportunities to become a Mental Health First Aider or to participate in our Employee Network Groups that focus on making Comic Relief a more inclusive place to work.

Disability Confident Employer

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we take positive action by providing first-round interviews to candidates who have a registered disability, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the role, as demonstrated on their CV and application questions.

We ask that candidates that wish to be considered for this scheme email us via our website to discuss further. Please do not email CV's/cover letters.

Research Funding Officer (Operations)

18-month Fixed-Term Contract

Salary: £28,000 - £30,000 per annum, plus benefits

London N1

Full time – 37.5 hours a week 

We're a hybrid working employer, meaning you're required to come into the office at least 2 days per week currently Tuesday, and Wednesday or Thursday.

Closing date: 17:00, 15th April 2026

Interviews (in-person): w/c 27th April 2026

Second interviews: w/c 4th May 2026

Preventing cancer, saving lives

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to contribute to international research funding programmes and gain insight into how cancer prevention research is supported and delivered?

We are seeking a Research Funding Officer (Operations) to support the delivery of our research funding programmes, with a particular focus on the integration of the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) grant programme into the WCRF International portfolio. This is a fixed-term role for 18 months.

In this role, you will support the operational delivery of WCRF International’s grant programmes across both pre-award and post-award activities. You will contribute to the administration of grant calls, respond to applicant queries, process applications, support peer review and Panel meetings, and help maintain and develop our grant management system. You will also track research outputs, maintain grant records and contribute to internal reporting and analysis. 

You will have a relevant scientific background (e.g. nutrition, public health, cancer biology or a related discipline), with experience working in a research or administrative environment (ideally within academia or research management).You will have a strong analytical mindset and be comfortable working with data, systems and tracking processes, and be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong communication skills and confidence interacting with a range of stakeholders is key as is being proactive, adaptable and able to work as part of a small, collaborative team.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone with strong organisational and analytical skills who enjoys working with data and complex processes. The postholder will gain a unique insight into the full research funding lifecycle, supporting both the pre-award and post-award stages of international grant programmes. Working closely with experienced colleagues across the Research Funding team, the successful candidate will develop a strong understanding of how research funding programmes are designed, delivered and monitored, while applying their scientific knowledge to real-world research projects. The role provides valuable experience in grant management, research administration and data analysis, offering a strong foundation for a future career in research funding and management, the charity or policy sector, or academic research.

Application Details:
If you are interested in this role and feel you possess the necessary requirements, please submit a current CV and covering letter (maximum 2 pages) by the closing date. You must have current right to work in the UK.

Please note: Your cover letter should highlight how your skills and experience will benefit WCRF International and equip you for the role.Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to provide feedback to shortlisted candidates. If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.