Volunteer research assistant volunteer jobs in Dunstable, central bedfordshire

Location: Remote (Based in England & Wales with occasional travel required)

Salary: £24,479 - £25,360 pro rata (£9,792 - £10,144 actual)

Hours of work: 14 hours per week 

Contract type: Permanent

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities.

Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The Accounts Assistant role involves:

• Processing day-to-day finances, ensuring all bank accounts and transactions are reconciled and coded correctly on Xero at month end.
• Ensuring all income is accurately processed and recorded on Xero and our CRM system (Beacon).
• Generating invoices as required, inputting into Xero, and chasing outstanding payments
• Overseeing and managing the expense card system (Volopa), topping up individual cards as required and processing payments
• Supporting the Finance Manager in the planning and production of accurate annual budgets.
• Supporting the Finance Manager with preparing documents required for annual audit.

About you

Are you organised with good attention to detail? Do you have booking training or experience? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision of seeing every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

How to apply

You can apply for the Accounts Assistant position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is Monday 25th May at 4pm. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Manager).

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

Salary: £35,668 – £39,005 pro rata
Hours: Part-time (21 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home-based (with regular travel across Brentwood Diocese)

About the role

CAFOD is looking for a Community Participation Coordinator to grow engagement across the Catholic community in Brentwood Diocese.

You’ll inspire and support volunteers, build strong relationships with parishes and clergy, and increase participation in CAFOD’s work to tackle poverty and injustice.

Working as part of a regional team, you’ll help deliver plans that drive volunteer engagement, fundraising, and community action.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver participation plans across Brentwood Diocese
• Recruit, support, and retain volunteers
• Build relationships with clergy and key diocesan stakeholders
• Support fundraising, campaigns, and community engagement
• Monitor activity and adapt plans based on insights

About you

• Experience working with and managing volunteers
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Organised, proactive, and able to work independently
• Comfortable using data to track and improve performance
• Committed to the value of volunteering and social justice

Additional information

• Home-based with significant travel (access to a car required)
• Some evening/weekend work (TOIL provided)
• Part of a flexible regional team (occasional wider travel) 

The full job description is available on CAFOD's careers page 

CAFOD is a welcoming, supportive workplace committed to a safe, inclusive culture where everyone is respected. CAFOD will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure candidates with disabilities or individual needs are fully supported. 

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect.  CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount.  Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. This post involves contact with children and young people and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to safeguarding issues. The post holder is required to present or obtain a Disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service). 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent to, these recruitment procedures. 

About Habitat for Humanity Great Britain

Habitat for Humanity Great Britain 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.

Habitat GB mobilises resources, partnerships, public engagement and advocacy to support high‑impact housing solutions in the UK and internationally, working closely with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) and the wider Habitat for Humanity network.

 Job Purpose

The Programme Development Manager role is a critical role in ensuring the development and progression of our programmes. The role is responsible for drafting compelling propositions for our UK programmes and both the proposal development and remote programme management oversight of our international work.  

Key responsibilities will include developing partnerships and delivering compelling propositions to expand our existing donor-base and programme reach. This role will also manage and support the delivery of impactful projects and be responsible for collaborating with our wider Habitat for Humanity network. This role is central to translating Habitat for Humanity's GB’s mission and strategy into high-quality programmes that maximise social impact.

This is a remote (home-based) role, with regular travel to internal meetings in London and occasionally for monitoring visits overseas. 

If this sounds like it could be a good match for you, please take a look at the Candidate Pack on our website for more details and how to apply.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 12th May 2026 (at 11:59 pm).

 Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Partnership and Proposal Development: Develop and deliver compelling partnerships to expand our existing donor-base

· Scope funding and partnership opportunities and engage with existing, new and potential institutional donors and programme partners through 1) desk research; 2) preparing donor/partner profiles; 3) updating an active pipeline of proposals and opportunities; 4) engaging, building and maintaining new and existing partnerships.

· Lead the proposal development and submission process of high-quality programmes – including narrative, Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and budget preparation. This will require working directly with our network of National Offices (NOs), and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), ensuring that Habitat GB aligns with the tools and processes that have been developed to support this work.

· Coordinate and lead proposal development meetings with NOs and HFHI, including taking the meeting minutes.

· Ensure that feedback and learning from project bids, both successful and unsuccessful, is shared across the organisation and is used to inform future thematic priorities and programme design.

2. Impact Delivery: Manage and deliver impactful projects

· Support National Offices to prepare and establish effective project management tools and mechanisms for grant set-up and project launches in close collaboration with HFHI.

· Coordinate monthly project management meetings for key projects with National Offices.

· Conduct monitoring visits (if necessary) to projects, alongside the provision of distance monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) and safeguarding support to National Offices and their partners. Collate data, ensuring it is of high quality and produced in line with grant agreements.

· Draft, review and edit/format project reports for timely submissions to donors in close collaboration with Habitat GB colleagues, National Offices/Branches and HFHI colleagues, ensuring donor compliance.

· Support the timely transfer of funds to National Offices, tracking progress against expenditure.

3. Collaboration: Across Habitat GB and the wider Habitat network

· Supervise and mentor Programmes Assistants and volunteers (where/when) applicable, supporting their development and the delivery of high-quality work.

· Actively participate in several Communities of Practice (CoPs) hosted by major donors and development networks for external knowledge sharing and learning.

· Present key thematic topics within Habitat GB quarterly for internal sharing.

· Post case studies and project highlights on Habitat GB website.

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven experience of partnership building with UK institutional donors (Essential)
• Experience in project proposal writing and familiarity with programming documents e.g. logical framework and Theory of Change models. (Essential)
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective document management and information management processes. (Essential)
• Experience and good understanding of best practice, knowledge management and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and safeguarding in a programme context. (Desirable)
• International programme management experience preferably in a development context. (Desirable)

Skills / Knowledge

• Excellent report writing and content development skills. (Essential)
• Understanding of financial management processes, including excellent numeracy skills and proven ability to analyse budgets, project pipelines and financial reports. (Essential)
• Ability to undertake international travel to field locations in different parts of the world when the situation allows. (Essential)
• Clear and straightforward verbal and written communication skills. (Essential)
• Excellent attention to detail. (Essential)

Working Style

· Ability to work collaboratively with diverse global teams, across different time zones. (Essential)

· Self-motivated and organised, able to work under pressure to deadlines and use own initiative to solve problems with minimal supervision and adapt to challenges. (Essential)

· Enthusiastic and positive, with a can-do attitude. (Essential)

The role and responsibilities will be carried out in a way which reflects:

· Habitat GB’s commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy.

· A commitment to Habitat GB’s vision, mission, values and approach.

· A commitment to effective management of risk, by operating within the Charity’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and controls and by carrying out the risk management and assurance responsibilities of the role as set out in relevant Policy and Procedures.

The employment of this position will be subject to a satisfactory reference check and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

At Habitat for Humanity GB, we aim to build, develop and retain a talented workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. We welcome and actively encourage applications from anyone who feels they’d be a good fit for our organisation, regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or any other protected characteristics.

We’d prefer to hear directly from applicants – we won’t be working with third party recruiters on this role.

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Regional Public Affairs Manager 

Starting Salary: £50,582 (if based outside London); £53,777 (if based in London) 

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about different ways of working - so please ask) 

Location: Remote role - can be based anywhere in England or Wales with an expectation of frequent travel across England and Wales 

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 an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of impactful public affairs and influencing activity, strengthening regional voice and national impact. 

As Regional Public Affairs Manager, you will work closely with colleagues to support influencing activity across England and Wales, helping to build confidence, capability, and effectiveness. You will support engagement with decision-makers, campaigns, and partnerships, ensuring activity is aligned and impactful. 

You will play a key role in connecting local insight to national influencing, identifying emerging themes and helping to shape wider organisational priorities. You will also build relationships with external stakeholders, supporting activity that raises the Foundation’s profile and impact. 

About You

We’re looking for someone with experience in public affairs, policy, or influencing, particularly at local or regional level. You will have experience of supporting or delivering influencing activity and working with a range of stakeholders. 

You will be a strong relationship builder who combines practical delivery with the ability to use insight and evidence to inform work. A good understanding of the UK political landscape and a commitment to diversity, equity, 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 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. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Wednesday 13th May 2026 

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

First Interview: Friday 22nd May 2026 

Second Interview: Wednesday 3rd June 2026