Policy and research assistant jobs in Belfast

JOB TITLE:

Fundraising & Partnerships Manager 

RESPONSIBLE TO: 

Director of Fundraising

LOCATION: 

Home based 

DURATION: 

30-35 Hours Per Week - Permanent 

SALARY/GRADE: 

Grade 6.4 (£36,043) PA FTE 

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Fundraising Team 

• Nation Directors 

• Public Affairs and Communications Team 

• Membership Team 

• Donors, Volunteers and families

ABOUT YOU 

You will have proven experience in fundraising, business development, or partnership management, with a track record of generating income and building strong external relationships. Ideally, you will have experience developing fundraising plans, pipelines, or income streams from an early stage, and will be comfortable working in an environment where processes, opportunities, and supporter journeys are still evolving. 

You will be confident identifying and pursuing new opportunities, developing compelling proposals and cases for support, and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including corporate partners, community fundraisers, volunteers, and individual supporters. 

We are looking for someone who is proactive, self-motivated, and creative, with strong communication and relationship-building skills. You should be comfortable working independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues across fundraising, marketing, and operational teams. 

Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help grow sustainable income that supports children, young people, and families across the UK. 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE 

We are looking for a confident, ambitious, and entrepreneurial Fundraising Manager to help grow sustainable income for Adoption UK by building and developing strong relationships with corporate partners, supporters, volunteers, and local communities. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys creating fundraising plans from the ground up, developing new partnerships, and turning ideas into sustainable income. The role is ideally suited to someone who thrives in a developing fundraising environment and is motivated by the opportunity to shape and grow underdeveloped income streams into long-term success. 

This is an opportunity to help shape the development of a strategic and sustainable approach to fundraising, while continuing to deliver hands-on income across a diverse portfolio. 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supported by the Director of Fundraising, take ownership of developing, delivering and monitoring fundraising events and activities in line with our fundraising strategy. 

• Lead on key income streams to maximise net income and develop sustainable income streams for short, medium and long-term growth. 

• Monitor and evaluate progress against plans using management information and budgets to produce reports and forecasts as required 

• Deliver effective supporter journeys to improve supporter experience, retention, and long-term engagement. 

• Work alongside the Director of Fundraising to develop and implement processes and policies. 

• Grow and diversify income across corporate partnerships, community fundraising, events, individual giving and digital activity. 

• Develop compelling proposals and pitches for corporate partners, clearly articulating social value, impact and return on investment. 

• Build and manage a strong corporate prospect pipeline using research, data and structured follow-up to convert opportunities. Identify opportunities to sponsor projects and activities. 

• Collaborate with marketing colleagues to develop assets and digital campaigns to support fundraising appeals and events. 

• Work with all Adoption UK teams to support local fundraising activities in each of the four nations including membership and community teams. 

• To ensure good working practices in line with Equality and Diversity policies and a pro-active approach is taken to equality, diversity and inclusion issues. 

• In compliance with the Code of Conduct, demonstrate high standards of personal conduct, courtesy and integrity. 

• Ensure full compliance with Adoption UK’s Safeguarding policies and procedures, reporting concerns in line with internal policies.

• Any other duty as required by the line manager commensurate with the post. 

Person Specification criteria

Knowledge  And  Experience 

• Experience of a fundraising, marketing, or event management role (E) 
• Experience of delivering multiple projects on time and to budget (E) 
• Ability to devise operational plans and deliver them effectively, and proven experience of planning and managing income generating activities and events    (E) 

Qualificationsand  Education

• Professional fundraising qualifications (D) 
• Marketing qualifications (D) 
• Event Management qualifications (D) 
• CIOF Diploma in Fundraising Management/equivalent professional experience/membership of CIOF (D) 

Skills and Abilities 

• Delivers high quality work with minimal supervision and direction (E) 
• Able to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, be competent with Microsoft Office (E) 
• Ability to assimilate and analyze financial and statistical information, including budget monitoring, management, and financial control (E) 
• An exceptional administrator and coordinator with excellent organisation and writing skills (E) 
• Communicate, engage and secure positive external relationships with stakeholders and supporters (E) 
• Has the capacity to deal with complex issues and is good at problem solving (D) 
• Self-starter, used to working to deadlines and delivering against KPIs (E) 
• Able to work communicate and engage with internal senior stakeholders effectively (E) 

Accountability

• Developing fundraising opportunities (E)  
• Event administration (D) 
• Stewardship and relationship management (E) 
• Contribute to departmental strategic goals, in liaison with the Director of Fundraising (E) 

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. 
• 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. 

Community Fundraising Assistant - North 

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.​

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraising Assistant - North, to join our Community and Digital Fundraising team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Are you able to provide friendly and professional support to fundraisers and supporters?   
• Do you have experience in supporting events or community activities?
• Do you live in either Scotland, North East England, North West England or the East Midlands? 

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.​​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

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We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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Key responsibilities:

1. Main Purpose of the Job

• To ensure the panel reflects AvMA’s values and that where possible the panel is managed in line with our strategic plan.

• To manage and oversee the operation of the specialist AvMA clinical negligence panel to include ensuring the qualifying requirements for panel applicants are relevant and up to date and reflect any important medical and legal developments.

• The assessment of panel applications and interviewing of Applicants. Convening meetings of the panel committee, drafting agendas for those meetings and identifying issues to be discussed.

• Identify ways for the AvMA panel application process to become more streamlined, efficient and supportive of lawyers making panel applications. To develop the process to ensure it is fit for purpose, relevant and continues to meet the needs of the public.

• Ensuring the AvMA database of panel membership and special interests is kept up to date. Giving informal advice to solicitors enquiring about panel membership requirements, liaising and meeting with firms as required.

• Travelling and attending key networking events, including AvMA’s three-day (2 overnight stays) annual conference and AvMA annual panel meeting (usually held end Nov, beginning December), engaging with potential AvMA panel applicants, promoting the benefits of accreditation and the junior scheme (Certificates Competence Scheme (CCS)), keeping up to date with medical and legal developments. Speaking at panel meetings and generally to promote the panel.

• Working with the conference department to identify relevant topics for panel meetings and conference events.

• To improve on the current re-accreditation process to make it more streamlined and user friendly for applicants.

• To ensure relevant data from panel applications is captured on the CRM. Regular analysis of panel data, findings shared with AvMA senior leadership team and more widely where appropriate.

• To pursue AvMA’s EDI strategy by considering ways in which the panel can be developed to ensure panel members are as ethnically diverse as possible.

• To liaise with AvMA’s conference department to advise on any training which may be required to strengthen AvMA panel members knowledge and information base.

• To work with the Director Medico Legal services in assessing applications for Certificate of Competence Scheme (CCS) for juniors. To update and work on the Certificates Competence Scheme including organising applicant feedback to ensure this scheme continues to be fit for purpose. To inform and work with panel applicant mentors in strengthening the scheme.

• To deliver on administrative requirements such as quarterly reports for trustees, working with AvMA’s Service Delivery Quality and Outreach Committee (SDQOC) as required to update on continued improvement of AvMA Panel Accreditation Scheme.

• Dealing with queries raised by AvMA Panel applicants and/or juniors who may have had their applications rejected.

• Ensuring AvMA panel template letters and documents are updated

• From time to time speaking publicly about requirements for AvMA panel membership, common pitfalls and how to overcome them as well as other matters relating to panel.

• To consider client complaints about panel members to determine whether the threshold for disciplinary action under AvMA’s Panel procedures is met.

• To manage disciplinary procedure for AvMA Panel members, identify and liaise with adjudicators, prepare documentation, set up the hearing.

• To manage appeals against rejection of an application for accreditation/reaccreditation, liaise with adjudicators.

• To keep on top of any government, regulatory or other policy changes which may affect the way in which patients can access justice, recover damages and seek redress for adverse clinical outcomes, as well as any improvements or impediments to lawyers undertaking this work.

• To develop and grow the AvMA panel accreditation and Certificates Competence scheme membership; to identify cost efficiencies and maximum engagement with AvMA accredited panel solicitors.

• Any other duties associated with the role.

2. Skills and Experience

Administration of the AvMA Panel

The bulk of the administration and management tasks do not require specialist skills; however, assistance is provided by the PA to the CEO when required.

AvMA has a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) driven computer system throughout the organisation, the introduction has been phased and the applicant should be confident enough with sufficient IT skills to onboard the new system. The CRM works with Microsoft Dynamics 365 a data driven software solution which is intended to manage, track and store information. AvMA considers IT to be an ongoing commitment and the new panel accreditation manager should be willing to consider ways in which AvMA can maximise the impact of the CRM to improve services and data collection on key issues identified from panel related activities.

Tasks such as updating and preparing new panel application documents and report forms will require medical and legal input, the panel application interview process will involve discussions about topical medico legal issues and for this reason the post would suit someone who has a legal background, ideally qualified as a solicitor or barrister, preferably with clinical negligence accreditation. A a medical background would be helpful.

Assessment of new applications, interviews and dealing with correspondence

The Panel Accreditation Manager is primarily responsible for the assessment of new panel accreditation applications.

The role of Panel Accreditation Manager would suit someone who has practised as a claimant clinical negligence lawyer who is looking to draw on their expertise and experience in a new role.The successful applicant should be confident in assessing former peers and colleagues in a fair and impartial way.

The nature of this work is such that the Panel Accreditation Manager can come into possession of sensitive information, discretion and respecting confidentiality are key qualities for this role. 

Reaccreditations

Reaccreditation assessments are done internally by the Panel Accreditation Manager, occasionally assistance can be provided by members of the internal panel assessment team.

AvMA aims to make reaccreditations more straightforward for practitioners and the new appointee will be expected to liaise with the profession to understand where they consider the biggest hurdles to reaccreditation lie and to consider how these can be overcome without compromising standards. 

AvMA receives a minimum of 15 applications for reaccreditation per annum, however numbers are usually considerably higher, up to 30 per annum.It is thought that the reaccreditation process could be designed to be more streamlined and user friendly for both the applicant and in house.

Other AvMA Panel assessments

In addition to assessing AvMA panel applications and reaccreditations the Panel Accreditation Manager will need to assess applications from accredited panel members who have changed firms.

Change of firm applications tend to be straightforward if the applicant has been on the panel for some time and is going to a firm where there is another AvMA panel member but the process is more in depth for those going to a firm which does not have another AvMA panel member.  The Panel Application Manager needs to be confident that the new firm can meet the minimum standards and supervision requirements required of a first time panel application. 

There are about 5 applications for changes of firm rising to a maximum of 10 per annum. 

Interim Reviews

From time to time first time applicants may demonstrate that they largely meet the core criteria for AvMA Panel membership but there may be some areas that require improvement.In those cases, AvMA can award the applicant AvMA panel status subject to a review sometime later.The Panel Accreditation Manager is responsible for following up that review and examining progress made.The review is an opportunity to identify if the applicant has succeeded in strengthening the areas of weakness identified.If they have not, they risk losing their AvMA panel status entirely. 

There are about 3 interim reviews per annum, currently not exceeding 6. 

3. Other

• To support the Events Department’s quality initiatives and to suggest continuing improvements where needs arise.

• To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as may be required.

• Deputise for the Head of Events when necessary