Qualitative jobs

Do you want to change the world for vulnerable children?

The Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies UK (CVAA) aims to improve adoption policy and practice across the UK for the benefit of children, challenging the adoption system to deliver for children and work in their best interests. Alongside advocating for system change, CVAA works to support our member voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) across the four nations of the UK, stimulating innovation and ensuring they stay at the leading edge of practice. The active engagement of members and the building of collaborative alliances with others who seek positive change for children are essential to the effectiveness of our work.

The Head of Policy is a vital member of the small CVAA team, working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to champion the voluntary adoption sector and put children at the heart of everything we do. Due to maternity leave we have an exceptional and unique opportunity for someone who shares our passion to change the world for children, to gain valuable experience working at national level with senior stakeholders to contribute to system change, advocating for the power of adoption to change lives.

You will need strong people skills, experience of developing policy in consultation with stakeholders and using data to transform services and strengthen lobbying work. Most of all you need a cast iron commitment to change the world for vulnerable children.

CVAA works to challenge discrimination and disadvantage and welcomes applications from all communities, particularly those who are underrepresented in our sector, which includes but is not limited to people from Global Majority backgrounds, adoptees, men and those who identify as LGBTQ.

Key information

• Maternity Cover 1 year from July 2026
• Location - remote contract with occasional travel
• £40 – 45K depending on experience
• An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

Applications

Please send a CV and letter of application, outlining your motivation for applying and the skills you offer, to Satwinder Sandhu (CEO) by 5pm on Friday 8th May 2026.

Both Satwinder (CEO) and Alice (Director of Strategy and Policy) are happy to have an informal chat about the role. Please email to arrange a convenient time to speak.

Initial online interviews via Microsoft Teams will be on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th May, with final in-person interviews scheduled for Thursday 28th May 2026 in London. Please let us know whether you cannot make any of these dates in your application.

We are looking for a Director of Communications (External Relations)

We are looking for a communications leader to help us transform Nesta’s impact, reach and influence. We're already an ambitious, award-winning, multidisciplinary team, and now we're looking for someone to help us elevate our work to the next level.

The UK information environment is changing rapidly and our team is midway through a period of reform and transformation to adapt. We want to be industry-leading in the way we communicate - on the cutting edge of testing and experimenting with new formats and tactics, constantly iterating our practice in response to an information environment that is being constantly reshaped by AI, changing political communications and new technology. This is where you come in.

This role offers the mandate to experiment with a suite of high-impact products that are ready for their next stage of growth. You will play a central role in developing our new podcast, expanding our collection of data-driven stories, and testing long-form video as a way to translate deep research into compelling visual narratives. We care about micro communities as much as the traditional broadcast tools, and you’ll lead a stable of products designed to reach policy audiences. Alongside this, you will help to spearhead the advocacy and influencing activity that will deliver success in our three missions, and work more broadly to support BIT and all other parts of the Nesta Group.

You will blend exceptional political acumen with a proven track record of delivering policy and advocacy campaigns that have a tangible impact. You will be a trusted advisor, adept at providing strategic counsel across multidisciplinary teams while fostering an empowering, best-in-class culture. Beyond managing projects and campaigns, you will invest in our people, ensuring our talented team has the support and clarity to perform at their best.

We are looking for a leader who isn't satisfied with the status quo and is ready to take our collective impact to the next level. Five years into our strategy, Nesta’s ideas are gaining significant influence - now we need you to raise our reach and profile to the same level.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the design and delivery of integrated campaigns with policy and advocacy objectives, using the right mix of channels, the highest standards of creative execution and the most effective messaging. Support the team to navigate the UK political and news agenda, identifying and securing the most effective moments for our work to exert influence.
• Lead the full range of policy communications across Nesta (working with and beyond the communications team with missions, units, subject specialists and senior leaders to bring coherence to our content and activity). Lead on policy-facing products, from blogs to policy briefings, podcasts to newsletters.
• Oversee delivery of broader communications activity, working across the organisation to form project teams, set priorities and tactics. Elevate the quality of our external output so all of our communications meet a consistently high bar for excellence. Ensure that all of our activity is delivered with the right mix of creativity, professionalism and speed to maximise success.
• Distil complex policy and research into powerful narratives, ensuring our strategic messaging resonates and persuades target audiences and that is used consistently and coherently across all of our activity. Manage our suite of editorial products and ensure our content is sharp, timely, and directly aligned with our advocacy objectives.
• Provide authoritative communications strategic counsel across teams, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex communication challenges and reputational issues
• Provide functional (direct) leadership of our policy communications, media relations and data journalism functions.

You will also work across all of the Communications department to:

• Drive forward new approaches to advocacy and influencing that organisations like Nesta need to adopt in response to the changing information environment
• Look across all activity being conducted and identify and act on opportunities for new content streams, activities or partnerships that support our strategic communications goals
• Spot opportunities to do more with our existing channels and campaigns, finding ways to extend their value and impact
• Troubleshoot and support where a project or campaign is at risk of failure, either because of differing views on execution, changing objectives, or missed deadlines
• Mentor and evolve a talented communications team, providing the leadership and vision necessary to take our collective impact to the next level.

What we’re looking for:

• Significant leadership experience in external affairs, communications, or press, specifically within an advocacy-focused environment.
• Exceptional strategic skills, with a history of delivering multi-channel campaigns that build genuine profile and influence.
• A deep understanding of the UK political and news agenda and wider information environment, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex policy landscapes.
• The ability to provide high-level strategic counsel, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex communication challenges and reputational issues.
• A genuine love of communications, with experience of exploring new approaches to advocacy and influencing that organisations like Nesta need to adopt in response to the changing information environment
• The ability to craft and embed strategic messaging that distills complex ideas into clear, authoritative narratives for diverse audiences.
• An accomplished writer who has successfully managed high-level editorial functions and maintained a high bar for content.
• Sharp media instincts and creative flair, with a proven ability to spot and shape stories that capture media interest.
• A grounded leader and people manager who knows how to motivate teams and cultivate a high-performing culture.

As with all members of the Nesta Group communications team, the postholder will also be at their best working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, have a flexible approach and an appetite for taking on new tasks and challenges. They will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills and a proven ability to write for a range of different audiences.

What we offer:

Salary: £91,500 plus an array of benefits, including a generous pension scheme, private medical insurance, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, and more

Location: This role is based in Blackfriars, London, hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of two days in the office

Term: Permanent

Hours: This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do.

Reports to: Group Executive Director of Communications

Making an application

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and a cover letter that states three reasons why you are a great candidate for the role before 8:00am on the 27th of April 2026.

Interviews will take place w/c 4th of May 2026.

About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation that designs, tests and scales solutions for the biggest challenges of our time.

Driven by a vision to improve the lives of millions of people, our focus up to 2030 is on three missions: breaking the link between family background and life chances, halving obesity and cutting household carbon emissions.

We work with partners across the public, private and third sectors to develop high-potential solutions and test them as they evolve, drawing on deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, data science, behavioural science and design.

Once confident in the effectiveness of a solution, we are relentless in the pursuit of scale. We create and make the case for ambitious national policy proposals, develop consumer-facing products and services, spin out and support commercial ventures and harness the power of the arts to shape national narratives.

We extend our impact through two specialised units that help others to solve complex problems and achieve their missions. BIT applies a deep understanding of human behaviour to help clients achieve their goals. Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society.

Together, we are building a powerful ecosystem for innovation that delivers proven solutions to create lasting, positive change.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

10GM is a partnership that supports the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector right across Greater Manchester. It brings together four local infrastructure organisations — Action Together, Bolton CVS, Manchester Community Central and Salford CVS — who work closely together to champion local voluntary and community action and social enterprise, helping communities thrive across the city‑region.

While this role is based at Action Together, you’ll be working as part of the wider 10GM team, contributing to work that has a Greater Manchester–wide focus and impact across all ten boroughs

GM Head of Programme- Spaces of Hope and Connection 

The role

Thanks to National Lottery players, 10GM, on behalf of Greater Manchester Live Well, will receive £16.5 million over four years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the UK’s largest community funder.

This investment in Live Well Spaces of Hope and Connection will create a network of 100+ inclusive, community-led and owned spaces across Greater Manchester where people can meet, belong and find everyday support.

The Head of Programme will lead and oversee delivery of this large-scale, multi-partner strategic lottery programme, ensuring delivery through funded partners is aligned to the programme’s mission, vision and values, while maintaining strong programme management, compliance and delivery of agreed outcomes.

Working in close partnership with the Strategic Director of 10GM, this role provides senior operational leadership—translating mission, vision and values into clear delivery plans, pace, coordination and assurance across the full programme lifecycle.

The ideal candidate

We are looking for a values‑driven programme leader with experience delivering complex, large-scale programmes through partnerships and/or multi‑stakeholder delivery models. You can translate strategic priorities into clear, accountable delivery plans that balance funder requirements with flexible, community‑led approaches. You will bring strong governance, budget and risk management skills, and are confident working across the VCSE, public sector and communities.

Equity and social justice are central to how you work. You will have experience embedding inclusive, community‑led approaches, using evidence and learning to reduce inequalities and improve impact. Comfortable with complexity and ambiguity, you can communicate clearly, build trusted relationships, and lead teams with a learning‑led, collaborative mindset.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Action Together we value diversity, promote equity and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.

In order to ensure that our workforce reflects our communities across all levels of seniority, Action Together is offering a guaranteed interview to any candidate who meets the essential criteria listed in the person specification and who is also:

• A disabled person and/or
• A member of a community experiencing racial inequality 

Action Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We expect all of our employees to demonstrate this commitment.

Right to work

We do not hold a Sponsor License and are unable to accept applications which require sponsorship to work in the UK

Please note, the successful candidates will be required to undertake a basic Disclosure and barring Service (DBS) check. A positive Disclosure of Offences will not automatically bar an applicant from being appointed and suitable applicants will not be refused employment because of offences that are not relevant.

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks)

Fixed term for 12 months in the first instance (subject to the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period)

We are recruiting to a brand-new role and are looking for an experienced, community-focused Programme Manager (Place) to lead Salford CVS’s Pride in Place activity in Pendleton and Peel Green. This is a key role focused on ensuring that strong, representative community voice, clear governance, and meaningful VCSE sector involvement are embedded from the outset.

Pride in Place is a national ten-year programme that places Neighbourhood Boards at the heart of local decision-making, with local authorities acting as the accountable body and communities expected to shape priorities and hold partners to account. In this model, Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) like Salford CVS play an important enabling role - helping to connect local authorities with VCSE organisations, strengthening engagement, and ensuring a diverse range of community voices can participate fully.

As Programme Manager (Place), you will coordinate our work to support high-quality governance, inclusive engagement and strong local insight across both neighbourhoods.

A core part of your work will be ensuring that Pride in Place Neighbourhood Boards in Pendleton and Peel Green benefit from authentic, representative and evidence-driven community input. This includes leading the development of a community research programme, working in close partnership with VCSE organisations already active on the ground. Through these organisations, who often have trusted relationships with residents, established local networks and specialist knowledge of particular communities, you will lead on approaches that reach a wide range of voices, including those who are seldom heard. You will oversee our Trusted Voices and community researcher model, ensuring local people are recruited, supported and empowered to gather high-quality insight that reflects the diversity of each neighbourhood. This work will help create a rich, grounded understanding of community priorities, enabling transparent, accountable and well-informed decision-making across the programme.

The Programme Manager (Place) will bring clarity, organisation and coordination to this work. You will maintain oversight of our role within the wider programme, share insight with partners, identify gaps in engagement, and support the VCSE sector to participate meaningfully in Pride in Place structures and discussions.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about community-led change, place-based working, and strengthening the voice and influence of local people and VCSE organisations. You will be joining a programme at a formative stage, helping to shape how communities in Pendleton and Peel Green participate in long-term neighbourhood investment and decision-making.

Benefits

• 28 days’ holiday - rising to 30 days (after five years), plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time)
• Enhanced company sick and maternity pay, subject to terms and conditions of service
• Pension scheme - with 7% employer contribution (and 1% mandatory employee contribution)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Membership of the Hospital Saturday Fund via an employer subsidised scheme (optional and non-contractual)
• RHS family membership (optional and non-contractual)
• Development opportunities - we support and encourage our staff to progress in their careers (including formal training)
• A supportive working culture - we respect and support one another to do the best we can

If you would like to apply for the position of Programme Manager (Place), please submit your application on our website via the apply button.

Closing date: Noon on Monday 27th April 2026.

Interview date: Friday 8th May 2026.

We reserve the right to review applications before the closing date should we get sufficient applications.

Please note late applications will not be accepted.

We’re currently recruiting a part-time (17.5 hours per week) Counselling Service Manager to manage the Charity’s Croydon counselling service and work with colleagues across our services in Croydon, Merton and Sutton. For this post you need to have a counselling/mental health qualification along with extensive clinical and management experience. We are also looking for people with an open and flexible attitude; excellent engagement skills and a passion for working with children and young people around mental health.

Responsibilities include supporting less experienced staff and supporting the cohesive working between services within the charity. In addition, you will be offering a flexible range of short-term and longer-term mental health interventions to children and young people aged 14-25 including individual support; crisis support and mental health themed activities. The post has scope and opportunity for developing new initiatives and ways of working to support young people’s mental health across South London.

All posts are fully office based and will require flexible working across service areas and interventions and will involve some regular evening and/or weekend work to meet the needs of young people. 

Please read the full Job Description and Person Specification for this role included in the Service Manager Recruitment pack below, before submitting your application.

Applying for the Posts 

This information pack has the Job Description and Person Specification for the Service Manager in Croydon role.  

To be considered for the position, the Application Form and the Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form need to be completed and return to the email address on the Application Form by midday on Tuesday 5th May 2025. 

We understand some candidates may want to use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we also want to learn more about the authentic you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences wherever possible. In the spirit of transparency - we also ask that you indicate if you have used AI in your application.

Decisions about who to invite for interview will be based on how well someone demonstrates that they meet the person specification for the specific post, so please make sure you complete the application form fully and accurately, giving evidence of how you meet each point in the person specification and indicating your relevant knowledge, skills and experience. Please note that CVs will not be considered.  

Email applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt and shortlisted candidates will be contacted as soon as possible

*We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

We’re currently recruiting a part-time (28 hours per week) Counselling Service Manager to manage the Charity’s Merton counselling service and work with colleagues across our services in Croydon, Merton and Sutton. For this post you need to have a counselling/mental health qualification along with extensive clinical and management experience. We are also looking for people with an open and flexible attitude; excellent engagement skills and a passion for working with children and young people around mental health.

Responsibilities include supporting less experienced staff and supporting the cohesive working between services within the charity. In addition, you will be offering a flexible range of short-term and longer-term mental health interventions to children and young people aged 11-25 including individual and group-based support; workshops; crisis support; mental health themed activities. The posts have scope and opportunity for developing new initiatives and ways of working to support young people’s mental health across South London. 

All posts are fully office based and will require flexible working across service areas and interventions and will involve some regular evening and/or weekend work to meet the needs of young people.  

Please read the full Job Description and Person Specification for this role included in the Service Manager Maternity Cover Recruitment pack below, before completing the forms.

Applying for the Posts  

In the Recruitment pack you will find the Job Description and Person Specification for the Service Managers roles. 

To be considered for the position, the Application Form and the Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form need to be completed and return to the email address on the Application Form by midday on Tuesday 5th May 2025.    

We understand some candidates may want to use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we also want to learn more about the authentic you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences wherever possible. In the spirit of transparency - we also ask that you indicate if you have used AI in your application.    

Decisions about who to invite for interview will be based on how well someone demonstrates that they meet the person specification for the specific post, so please make sure you complete the application form fully and accurately, giving evidence of how you meet each point in the person specification and indicating your relevant knowledge, skills and experience. Please note that CVs will not be considered.   

Email applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt and shortlisted candidates will be contacted as soon as possible

*We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a strategic, faith‑driven leader to shape and scale programmes that are transforming children’s lives across the UK.

Children and young people across the UK are facing a growing mental health crisis. At Transforming Lives for Good (TLG), we believe the local church has a vital role to play in responding - offering early, relational and therapeutic support that can fundamentally change life trajectories for children and families. Our vision is fullness of life for every child, no matter what struggles they face.

As Director of Programmes & Impact, you will be a key member of TLG’s Core Leadership Team, with responsibility for the growth, quality and impact of our UK‑wide programmes, currently supporting around 5,000 children in partnership with more than 220 churches. You will lead a talented senior team, pioneer new and existing models of support, and ensure everything we do delivers deep, measurable and meaningful change in children’s lives.

We are seeking a senior leader who can lead programmes at scale, use insight and evidence to drive impact, and navigate change and complexity with confidence. You will model prayerful, emotionally healthy leadership, with a deep commitment to therapeutic, trauma‑informed practice firmly rooted in the life and mission of the local church.

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Hours: 30 - 37.5 per week (0.8 – 1.0 FTE)

Closing Date: Sunday 26th April

Initial Interviews: Friday 1st May – Online

Final Interviews: Tuesday 12th May – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire