Policy lead jobs

The Opportunity: Super Pollutants and Health Research Lead (initial 6-month contract)

Are you a talented, internationally-focused research leader with experience working on health and climate and with an interest in super pollutants? 
 
Clean Air Fund is looking for a politically savvy, proficient research programme lead and grant manager to join its super pollutants team, initially for six months, to play an integral part in a major funding proposal. Should the funding proposal be successful there will be an opportunity for a contract extension to play a critical role in implementing an ambitious research agenda. This is a fascinating opportunity for a dynamic research leader with a strong scientific background and sophisticated communication skills to join a talented team working at the nexus of climate and health. 
 
We want someone who can bring presence, initiative and relevant research management experience to our proposal development, our grant-making, and our advocacy for action on super pollutants with governments and international bodies. 
 
We are looking for someone who can start almost immediately. 

Essential Technical Competencies include:

PhD or equivalent expertise in environmental epidemiology, health research, biomedical sciences, public health, environmental science, or a related discipline. 

Demonstrated contributions to the research community through peer-reviewed publications, open datasets, policy briefs, clinical or commercial tools, or conference presentations. An Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) is required. 

Strong understanding of the science-policy interface in air pollution and climate mitigation. 

For more information on this role, as well as the full person specification please see the job description.

• Closing date – 10/07/25
• Salary – £55,500-71,300
• Type of employment – Fixed term full time

As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, returning parents, carers or any other aspect which makes them unique. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups  to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps we can take to ensure that the recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable. We are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of our employees from all forms of harm. 

Spark Inside runs coaching programmes in prisons across London and the South East, to encourage rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. 

We are one of the first organisations to take life coaching to people living and working in prison and to use systems coaching to bring together staff and prisoners in UK prisons. Our expert coaches are qualified and trained professionals. In addition to developing and delivering innovative coaching programmes, we are also committed to working with parliamentarians and government officials to influence criminal justice policy, and shift the perception of people in prison, platforming their voices and highlighting their unlocked potential.

To achieve our ambitious strategy, Spark Inside is seeking a Communications Manager to help raise the charity’s public profile, build influence with policymakers, attract funders and commissioners, and ensure the lived experience of young people in the justice system shapes our messaging, campaigns and strategy.

You will work with the Head of Communications and Advocacy to deliver a programme of compelling external communications activities through digital, print, press and events in order to increase Spark Inside’s visibility and ensure our key messages are wide-reaching and impactful.

You will report to the Head of Communications & Advocacy and work closely alongside our Participation and Engagement Manager and Policy Lead, with line management responsibility for a part-time Communications Officer. You will also work with a range of external freelancers on design, film and print. You will build and maintain good relationships with colleagues across the whole Spark Inside team, offering support and advice as well as drawing on their expertise and insights to make our communications impactful and engaging.

While target-driven, you will have a supportive style and work in a highly collaborative way with colleagues across the organisation.

You will share a passion for our cause, and a commitment to high standards. You will be highly organized, enthusiastic and motivated, with a talent for building relationships and networking. You will be up to date on the latest digital tools and trends and able to harness them to take Spark Inside’s communications to the next level.

To find out more information about the responsibilities of the role and required experience, and how to apply, please see attached job description.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About Finance at Hope into Action 

The Finance function of Hope Into Action is small team comprising the Finance Lead, the Finance Administrator and a volunteer reporting to the Head of Operations. It is largely paperless and supports our 42 staff with accounts payable and receivable functions. It works in conjunction with the other departments to deliver timely, accurate and strategic financial information for both the Executive Team and the Board of Trustees. 

About the role 

The Finance Lead is a key role in enabling Hope into Action fulfil its vision of every church lovingly making a home for those experiencing homelessness.

The role is broad ranging from monitoring the Finance inbox to posting transactions on our Xero accounting system and producing the monthly management accounts within our target of 10 working days from the month end 

In addition, you will support the year end work by producing the schedules required by auditors, take a lead in the annual budgeting process, produce the biannual investor statements and compile the gift aid returns. 

You will be expected to meet regularly with budget holders to help them achieve their targets and/or devise a plan to bring them back on track.

About you 

We are looking for a self-motivated person with a passion for our work, tenants, staff, churches and mission. You will be adaptable and equally comfortable with bank reconciliations as writing a commentary on the management accounts. We employ people of hope where humility, a genuine desire to love and serve others, and strength of character are as important as any job description. This is reflected in our six core values: strength, hope, action, love, open ears (listening) and mutuality, or “Shalom” as we sometimes call them.

You will have a track record of finance experience but also be relatable; able to support staff with little or no financial experience. You should have a passion for the homeless, churches and our vision & values. 

We value diversity and recognise that a diverse team will help us raise our performance in empowering those we serve. We are interested in your individual skills, strengths, knowledge and experience.

About us 

We believe that everyone has the right to a home and churches have the power to meet the tragedy of homelessness in their community.

Starting 15 years ago, we have grown into a mature organisation working with over 100 churches running 126 homes for over 400 tenants.

We have won numerous awards both secular and Christian including from the Guardian newspaper, Homeless Link and Centre for Social Justice.

We provide not just shelter and housing know-how, but also the friendship of a church, we are passionate about harnessing the social, financial and spiritual power of churches to enact real change both in them and our tenants.

Our first home had a real heart for men coming out of prison. Homes are now available for a wide range of people experiencing homelessness: people in recovery from addiction, people sleeping rough, women and children fleeing domestic violence, people coming out of rehab, former prostitutes, refugees, those suffering mental health issues and survivors of human trafficking. 

Roughly, 50% of our homes are in our ‘line-managed cities’ (Peterborough, Norwich, Nottingham, Cambridge), the other 50% are found across a further 30+ towns which we franchise into.  

We encourage others to replicate our model through franchising. The tragedy of homelessness is in every community.   Our vision is for every church to lovingly provide the homeless with a home.

Working at Hope into Action can be incredibly rewarding. We offer the opportunity to work in a supportive and flexible environment.

We are looking for a full-time Finance Lead but would consider a job share.

This is an exciting time to join us on our mission as we implement our new international engagement strategy. As our International Engagement Officer you will elevate our influence on the global stage. This is a new and important role for our charity. You will work with our senior team to drive international engagement with policymakers, parliamentarians, international organisations, and strategic partners. Your work will help us to position babies – and the first 1001 days – at the heart of global policy agendas.

You will be responsible for engaging and coordinating the relationships between our senior team and leaders around the world. You will keep abreast of policy developments in our target international countries and facilitate our international advocacy efforts. With support and supervision from the Director of Research and Grants and our Chair of Trustees, you will support the development of partnerships that extend our reach and deepen our impact. Through this work you will help us to bring the voice of babies to partners around the world.

The first round of interviews will take place on 18 July. 

Lumos is an international children’s charity founded in 2005 by the author J.K. Rowling to end the harmful practice of institutionalisation of children. Lumos’s mission is to fight for every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world.  Our vision is for all children to grow up in safe and loving families. 

Despite clear evidence of the harms of institutionalisation, an estimated 5.4 million children worldwide continue to live in institutions. Separated from their families and communities, these children are deprived of the love, attention and opportunities they need to thrive. Our three-pronged approach is to prevent family separation, to protect children and to promote care reform. We’ve made important progress in closing harmful institutions and reuniting children with their families. And where children are unable to live with their birth families, we promote alternative family-based care, such as kinship care and quality foster care.  Thanks to our tireless efforts alongside many other champions of care reform, the harms of institutionalisation are now more widely understood. A global movement is underway and the UN, the EU and some large development agencies have joined individual countries in pledging to change how they care for vulnerable children.  We are committed to ensuring that global policy commitments are translated into local action, leading to sustainable change for vulnerable children.

Policy and Networks Officer

• Internal Job title: Policy and Networks Officer or Senior Policy and Networks Officer (note that there are different requirements listed in the job description & person specification – please state which you are applying for)
• Location: FLEX office, Vauxhall, London – Flexible hybrid working with a mixture of in person and home/office working.
• Salary: £33,500 (Officer) or £38,500 (Senior Officer) per annum subject to deductions for tax and national insurance contributions as required by law, pro-rated if part time.
• Hours: Full time, 5 days, equivalent to 37.5 hours per week. There is also the option to work part time at 0.8 FTE (30 hours per week).
• Pension: 4%, incremental pension contributions.
• Contract: Permanent
• Reporting to: Head of Policy
• People management: 1-2 trainees/interns. If appointed as Senior Officer: up to 1-2 staff members/trainees
• Deadline for applications: 20th July 2025 (11.59pm)
• Interviews: 28-30 July 2025

About the role

FLEX is looking for a passionate advocate with a good understanding of the UK political system, of labour abuse and/or exploitation and human trafficking in the UK, and demonstrable experience of coalition working and building relationships with key stakeholders working in the anti-trafficking, employment rights, and/or immigration sectors. This recruitment comes at an exciting and challenging time for our work at the intersection of employment rights and immigration policy. This role will inform and support our work to influence and improve law, policy and practice affecting worker in high-risk sectors in the UK.

In this role, you will lead on FLEX’s advocacy at the London level and coordinate the joint research advocacy and project work of FLEX networks and coalitions. These currently include the Labour Exploitation Advisory Group (LEAG) and the Taskforce on Victims of Trafficking in Immigration Detention, two networks made of expert organisations directly supporting people who have experienced or are at risk of exploitation. Above all this role requires someone with real passion and commitment to FLEX’s work to end labour exploitation and an excitement for working in a small, dynamic team. 

How to apply:

For more information about this role and how to apply, please visit our website 

An initial triage of applications is made against the criteria specified in the job description and failure to address how you meet these explicitly will affect your application. Your experience, ability and skills will be further assessed at an in-depth interview if you are invited to the next stage of the recruitment process.

We encourage applications from people who identify as part of marginalised communities or with lived experience of the immigration system.

If you are disabled or become disabled, we encourage you to tell us about your condition so that we can make reasonable adjustments and consider what support may be provided at the interview and task stage.

Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) 

Location: Workplace Offer; Hybrid Working

The position is offered on a 0.6 FTE basis (21.75 hours per week). This role will be home-based but will require travel to Edinburgh and/or other parts of Scotland for in-person meetings as required.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in children's lives through impactful policy and public affairs engagement? Are eager to develop your skills working with Scottish Government, MSPs, and other key decision-makers in Scotland? If so, we want to hear from you. 

Barnardo's is looking for a Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) to help shape our influencing in Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone eager to build on their existing knowledge and experience with policy influencers in Scotland while playing a pivotal role in creating positive, lasting change for children, young people, and families. 

In this role, you'll work closely with our Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead (Scotland) to implement our influencing plan. You'll help raise Barnardo's Scotland's profile among key stakeholders and policy influencers. You'll be involved in: 

• Monitoring key developments within the Scottish policy landscape 

• Managing relationships and liaising with stakeholders at all levels 

• Conducting research and producing reports to support our policy objectives 

• Supporting reactive policy work to respond to emerging issues 

• Organising events to showcase Barnardo's vital work and engage decision-makers 

Your efforts will ensure that the voices of children, young people, families, and our services are central to our influencing activities in Scotland.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

Head of UK Policy (Responsible Investment, Climate Change focused Charity, Hybrid in London)

Civitas Recruitment are excited to be working with a fantastic charity that promotes responsible investment. The charity aims to define the highest standards of responsible investment and to drive change until these standards are adopted worldwide. The charities work focuses on topics such as climate change, biodiversity and workforce issues.  A great opportunity exists for a Head of UK Policy to join the team. As Head of UK Policy, you will lead a team to influence the way regulation can drive a more responsible financial sector. You will work closely with colleagues focused on research, engagement and networks in order to amplify the charity’s impact. This is a full-time, permanent role, hybrid in London.

Who are we looking for?

Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in UK policy or public affairs, a strong understanding of UK policymaking processes and a proven track record of influencing UK public policy and engaging with senior policymakers, regulators, parliamentarians and other key stakeholders. You will have a sound knowledge of responsible investment, financial and/or sustainability regulation or a strong commitment to acquiring this knowledge quickly. Candidates will have demonstrative experience of leading successful policy advocacy strategies, ideally within a campaigning or civil society organisation. Strong leadership and team management skills including experience supporting colleagues’ development and performance is essential for this role. You will have highly developed communication skills—verbal and written, including the ability to draft persuasive policy documents and represent the organisation in high-level forums. Existing relationships within the UK sustainable finance or regulatory ecosystem would be an advantage however it is not essential for the role.

If the above role description sounds of interest and you feel like you meet the criteria; please apply immediately or for further information, please contact Syed at Civitas Recruitment for a full JD and informal discussion. Early applications are encouraged as we will be reviewing on a rolling basis.

Senior Statistician or Senior Epidemiologist

Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to uniting for a life unlimited for everyone affected by cystic fibrosis. We're working towards a brighter future for everyone with cystic fibrosis (CF) by funding cutting-edge research, driving up standards of care and supporting people with the condition and their loved ones every step of the way.
 
Are you an experienced Statistician or Epidemiologist looking for an exciting new opportunity to join the internationally recognised UK Cystic Fibrosis Registry team? The UK Cystic Fibrosis Registry is a database of consenting people with cystic fibrosis collecting demographic, clinical care, and health outcomes data from clinical teams in specialist centres across the UK. The Registry is a world-leading resource, the data from which is used to facilitate research, clinical trials, real-world evidence studies and quality improvement projects for the benefit of people with cystic fibrosis. 
 
In this exciting role, you will conduct and oversee the design, analysis, and reporting of data from the UK Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Registry, joining a busy, dynamic, collaborative team, working with colleagues and stakeholders both nationally and internationally.
 
To be the right candidate for this role, you will: 

• Have several years’ experience in the design, analysis and interpretation of observational studies evidenced through reports, peer reviewed publications and presentations at professional meetings. 
• Be a competent and experienced line manager or supervisor of analytical colleagues.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to present complex information to broad audiences in an accessible way. 
• Be able to work independently and as part of team, working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders. 

 
If you think you’d be the right candidate, you can read more about what we do here by visiting our website.
 
We offer a range of benefits including flexible working, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, opportunities for learning and development, pension, healthcare cash plan and more. 
 
Closing date for completed applications is 12:00pm on Monday 14^th July
 
Interviews expected 30^th and 31^st July
 
We reserve the right to bring forward or extend the closing date if necessary. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, please submit your application as early as possible.
 
Please note you will need to have the right to work in the UK before starting work with us and we will check this.
 
For more information about the role and how to apply:
 
For more details about the job and requirements, please visit our website or use the application button provided.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust aims to be an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, can be themselves and achieve their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain staff with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives; particularly people who have cystic fibrosis; people who identify as being from an ethnic minority group, as LGBTQ and people with disabilities. 
 
It is our policy not to discriminate against any person because of their age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability (physical and mental), race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation or union membership.
 
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The churches of St Matthew and St Paul are special places in Fulflood and Weeke, places to wonder, to explore and to belong. We are places to experience God – in music, worship, community, prayer and fun. We are places where curiosity is encouraged – somewhere to encounter Jesus (maybe for the first time), question faith (not for the last time) and discover how to trust God. And we are places where everyone is welcome, with no exceptions. All this is expressed in our strapline, ‘Pilgrims on a journey’.

We seek a creative and enthusiastic Communications Lead to join a small, joyful and committed team in order to support our churches’ growth and development.

QUESTIONS & APPLICATIONS

We would be delighted to answer any questions you have about the role. Please contact the Rector, Jonathan Rowe, to arrange an informal conversation.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter, explaining what attracted you to the role and what you bring to the position, to Katy Palacio, Parish Administrator. Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be accepted.

Deadline for applications: Noon, Friday, 18 July 2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to: Rector

Hours: Up to 18 hours per week (0.52 FTE at 35 hours per week) with occasional evening events or meetings. Core working hours are 9.30am-3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Salary £29,061 pro rata, i.e. £14,945.67. Up to 4% employer and 4% employee pension contributions

Holidays: Five weeks paid holiday per year pro-rata, plus statutory holidays

Duration: Permanent position with monthly reviews during the 6-months’ probation period

Place of work: St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Hill, Winchester S022 5AB

PURPOSE

The Communications Lead will develop and optimise each communications channel so that the churches of St Matthew and St Paul connect well with each other and the wider community.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Working with the Rector and other clergy and staff, the Communications Lead is responsible for the following:

1. Strategy & planning

• With the Rector, prepare and implement an annual communications plan around key events and special services for the parish
• Maintain and develop the parish’s visual branding and style

2. Communications channels

• Oversee the generation of content for each channel, edit content produced by others for accuracy and appropriateness, and produce content, as required
• Website – develop the website to optimise its usefulness [NB a new website design is underway]
• Weekly Email – produce the weekly Mailchimp email
• Social Media – maintain and grow audiences on Facebook and Instagram; schedule content using Meta business suite
• Magazine – create a fun and informative printed magazine in-house three times a year (currently done using Canva)
• Video – record a weekly video message with one of the clergy, for use in the weekly email; produce other videos as and when required
• Youtube – manage the parish’s Youtube channel
• Produce materials and promote services and events across key periods in the church’s calendar (e.g. Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter), through printed and online channels
• Promote the parish’s outreach groups and events (e.g. Coffee Pot, Bumps & Babies, Have a Meal on Us and Community Day), through printed and online channels
• Produce other printed materials as necessary (e.g. leaflets, posters, flyers and roller banners), in keeping with our branding
• Photography – take pictures when required, adhering to the parish’s safeguarding and consent policies; organise church volunteers to capture images when necessary

3. Other responsibilities

• Staff the church office on Tuesdays and Thursdays (e.g. answering calls and questions from volunteers and/or people hiring the hall).
• Liaise, as necessary, with the diocesan and cathedral communications teams
• Complete all necessary training and comply fully with all safeguarding, health & safety and risk management procedures
• Attend meetings as indicated by the Rector
• Other duties commensurate with the role, as may be required

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

The applicant will be able to demonstrate:

• commitment to the values and aims of St Matthew’s and St Paul’s
• the ability to develop and manage effectively a wide range of communications, with the skills to build lasting digital connections with our communities
• knowledge and expertise in digital marketing
• professional use of Canva (or similar programmes)
• excellent planning and co-ordination skills
• that they are collaborative, with the capacity to build productive relationships with clergy, staff, volunteers and all others who come into contact with the church
• the ability to lead, enable, encourage and train volunteers to offer their time and skills to support communications
• a high level of oral and written communication
• the ability to work flexibly and productively as part of a small team while able to use their own initiative when appropriate

There is a genuine requirement that the post holder is sympathetic to the aims of the Parish of St Matthew with St Paul as an Anglican Church.

Any offer of employment will be subject to the provision of evidence that the post holder has the right to work in the UK. 

Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - London / Chesterfield (potential office relocation to central Sheffield in 2026)
Hours: Full-time 35 hours per week or Part-time 28 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Travel: Occasional travel to Versus Arthritis offices (London, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow)
 

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.

We are seeking a Lead People Business Partner to join our People Services team. You will oversee and manage our people business partnering model, leading the team to build strong working relationships and provide expert advice and guidance across all people related matters. With expertise in employer relations and a passion for continuous improvement you will shape a positive, inclusive and high performing culture.

About the role

Our People Business Partners deliver trusted partnering services and help shape a positive, inclusive and high performing culture. Working in collaboration with leaders and managers across the charity, the team drives and embeds positive change. Through effective coaching, influencing and excellent people advice, the team make a significant contribution to our goal of making Versus Arthritis a great place to work and volunteer. 

About you

If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you:

• Delivering expert people advice which aligns to organisational objectives and culture 
• Building and leading high performing teams of people professionals 
• Leading, managing and successfully delivering people projects and initiative
• Navigating complexities through effective problem solving to deliver impactful results.
• Experienced in employee relations, managing risk and seeking positive outcomes.
• Driving cultural change and proactively embedding change across an organisation.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 

*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Benefits

Your excellent benefits include:

• Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
• Health and wellbeing support – including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
• Simplyhealth cash plan.
• Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
• Learning and personal development opportunities.
• Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
• Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
• Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).

You must be based, and hold the right to work, in the UK to apply for this position.

Application deadline and shortlisting 

• We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of this date.  
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales. 

Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Versus Arthritis where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers. 

Interview

Interviews expected: Tuesday, 22 July 2025 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.

The Youth Endowment Fund 

Research Lead –Local Violence Prevention

 

Reports to: Head of Guidance and Reporting

Salary: £55,000

Contract: 2 years fixed term 

Location: Central London, Hybrid* 

Closing date: Tuesday 15th July at 12pm

Interviews: Week commencing 28th July 2025

About the Youth Endowment Fund 

We exist to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice.

Last year, 244 people in England and Wales tragically died after being assaulted with a knife. Of these, 32 were children. Every child captured in these numbers is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them. Even when violence doesn’t strike directly, we know that the fear of violence has a terrible effect on children’s lives.

At the Youth Endowment Fund, we are working to create lasting change. To succeed, we must build a world-leading body of knowledge on the violence that affects young people and how it can be stopped. This means producing rigorous, relevant evidence — through synthesis, data analysis and in-depth research into young people’s lives. But knowledge alone isn’t enough. We must make it accessible and actionable: showing what works, how services need to change, and how the systems around them must adapt. And we must partner with the people who can make change happen — across policy, practice and local systems — to turn evidence into impact.

About the role

The Research Lead will lead the development of YEF’s research, resources and recommendations in our neighbourhood focus sector.

We focus our efforts on seven essential sectors: education, policing, youth justice, youth sector, children’s services, health, and neighbourhood. “Neighbourhood” refers to our work supporting local partnerships – such as Violence Reduction Units (VRUs), community safety partnerships or the new Prevention Partnerships - and hyper-local approaches like our neighbourhood fund. 

Their primary responsibility will be to develop a series of actionable and evidence-informed guidance and resources for use by local violence prevention partnerships. This will include self-assessment tools for partnerships to assess their effectiveness, tools for understanding the nature of local violence problems and how they could be solved, and resources to support partnerships to identify and safeguard vulnerable children. Creating these resources will require the Research Lead to collect insights and evidence from across YEF’s work and develop YEF positions on fundamental questions about violence prevention. If successful, the Research Lead could have an outsized impact on YEF’s strategy and mission.  

These resources will support YEF colleagues to deliver our new ‘Area Leaders Programme’ (ALP). This is a new programme which you will help form. It helps local multi-agency partnerships to find and implement the best ways to prevent violence. YEF is working directly with partnerships, providing high-quality professional development, tailored advice and support, system mapping, and a national community of practice. The ALP focuses on strengthening five key elements of effective violence reduction:

1. Building strong and accountable partnerships
2. Understanding local patterns of violence
3. Identifying and supporting children most at risk
4. Improving safety in high-risk places
5. Sharing best practice across agencies

Following a pilot in four areas in 2024/25, the programme will expand to 20 more areas over the next two years. This will lay the groundwork for wider national initiatives, such as the Young Futures Prevention Partnerships, and support implementation of the Serious Violence Duty. The Research Lead will develop resources and guidance for the ALP. As the programme is delivered iteratively, they will work closely with YEF programme leads and local partnerships to test, refine, and improve materials before wider rollout.

The Research Lead will be part of YEF’s Research team. The Research team is at the heart of our efforts to learn what works and put it into practice. We do this by developing the YEF’s funding strategy and creating free, highly accessible research summaries and actionable recommendations for policy makers, commissioners and practitioners. We’re a high-performing team which values intellectual rigour and getting to the truth, compassion for children, ambition about what we can achieve and humility about what we know. We love to discuss the latest developments in research methods, but we’re not just interested in research for its own sake. We want research to lead to actual changes in outcomes for children.

Key responsibilities

 

The Research Lead will develop a portfolio of impactful projects.

· You’ll lead the research team’s work in our local neighbourhoods and partnerships priority sector. You’ll become the YEF’s expert in this area. You’ll make sure we understand the key issues, stay on top of the latest research and are connected to the right people.

· You’ll ensure we produce accessible, evidence-based resources and guidance that local partnerships can use to develop more effective strategies. You’ll work with YEF colleagues to test, refine, and improve materials before wider rollout

· You’ll set the YEF’s research agenda for your sector. You’ll make sure we invest in research that fills important gaps in knowledge and leads to important changes. You’ll ensure that our strategy and decision-making are informed by the best available research. This is a great opportunity to influence large amounts of funding and direct it towards the most impactful projects.

· You’ll develop great relationships with experts and represent YEF in external meetings and events. You’ll promote evidence-based policy and practice by speaking at conferences and events.

· You’ll lead the development of evidence-based recommendations in your focus area. You’ll draw on research and expert insight to identify potential changes to policy and practice. You’ll design and develop innovative and impactful resources which support the application of your recommendations.

· You’ll take on other responsibilities appropriate to your role. This could include leading the publication of YEF’s evaluation reports or writing ad hoc briefings and evidence summaries for the Government and other partners.

About You

You are this sort of person:

· You want to play a significant part in reducing the level of violence affecting young people. You care about having an impact. This might mean you’ve worked directly with young people at risk of becoming involved in crime, for organisations that fund or deliver relevant programmes, or have conducted research on this topic.

· You share our belief that an evidence-based approach is our best hope of preventing violence. You’re fascinated by research, but you’re not just interested in research for its own sake. You want to achieve actual changes in outcomes for children.

· You know a lot about violence prevention, especially local partnerships and structures like VRUs or Community Safety Partnerships. You know the key ideas and debates, recent policy developments and key people. You’re comfortable talking about this topic with experts.  There are many ways to acquire this knowledge. You might have worked in a local authority or local violence prevention organisation, conducted research on them or learnt about them during a degree.

· You’re a confident reader of research and have strong critical appraisal skills. You know when research can be trusted and when it can’t and can confidently articulate your views on the strength of research. You might have gained this expertise through your academic studies, research or professional experience.

· You have at least three years’ experience working in a role that required you to think about research. This could include a range of roles in policy, academia, funding or practice.

· You write in a way that people easily understand. You have that rare skill of writing in plain English. You have experience of translating complex research findings into plain writing that everyone can understand.

· You have excellent project and time management skills. You can work independently, quickly and to a high standard. You have experience of managing contractors or budgets.

· You are good with people. You’re comfortable working with a wide range of people, including senior academics and other research experts, children and their families, practitioners and policy makers. You’re able to provide constructive challenges when required.

· You learn fast but remain humble. You like learning. You’re very good at synthesising information. You know how much you don't know and that you can always learn more.

· You work well in a team. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit. You support your colleagues to produce excellent work.

· You’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. You believe and act in a way that celebrates and encourages a range of experiences, views and values.

 

While it’s not a criterion, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence. 

It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background. 

Hybrid Working Details  

The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month.

As part of our commitment to flexible working, we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

To Apply 

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter, and complete the monitoring form click on "Apply for this" button by 12:00pm Tuesday 15th July 2025. 

When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter, within a maximum of 1000 words, covers the following questions below:

1. A clear example of a situation where you have translated research into actionable resources or recommendations.

2. A clear example of a situation where you’ve supported an external partner or colleague to apply research evidence to an important decision.

Interview Process 

Interviews will take place in the week commencing the 28th July 2025. 

There will be a task to prepare for in advance. 

PLEASE NOTE: We do not sponsor work permits and you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. 

Benefits Include 

• £1,000 professional development budget annually 

• 28 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

• Four half days for volunteering activities

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr phone line for free confidential support • Volunteering days - 4 half days per year

• Death in service - 4 times annual salary

• Flexible hours. Core office hours 10am – 4pm

• Financial support including travel and hardship loans

• Employer contributed pension of 5% 

Personal Data   

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.   

We are seeking a compassionate, highly organised individual to lead and coordinate the delivery of Bramber Bakehouse’s transformative Baking, Wellbeing and Life Skills Programme. This vital role ensures the smooth running of the full programme pathway, from referral through to graduation, for women who have experienced abuse, exploitation and/or displacement.

You’ll work closely with a small, dedicated team including professional facilitators and volunteers to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed weekly sessions. Your responsibilities will span coordination, safeguarding, referral processes, volunteer support and monitoring and evaluation. This is a varied and dynamic role that blends project management, people support, logistics and partnership working - all rooted in our mission to empower and support the women we work with.

Key Responsibilities 

Programme Coordination

• Lead and coordinate the Baking, Wellbeing, and Life Skills Programme, ensuring alignment with Bramber Bakehouse’s mission, vision, values, and theory of change.
• Oversee and support the team, working closely with the baking and wellbeing facilitators and volunteers to deliver the programme to a high standard.
• Ensure the programme pathway, from referral to graduation, runs smoothly, creating a welcoming and safe environment for every woman attending.
• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns to the Service Manager, in accordance with Bramber Bakehouse’s policies and procedures.
• Ensure the programme is delivered within a person centred and trauma informed approach.
• Have oversight of the established programme curriculum and improvements to it.
• Have thorough knowledge of the wellbeing and life skills workshop materials, and provide session cover for the wellbeing facilitator when needed.
• Oversee the physical set-up and pack down of each programme session, in line with location risk assessments and hygiene standards.
• Lead logistics and forward planning for yearly programme cycles with location partners.
• Support early identification of progression pathways, working with and handing over to the Progression Programmes Lead.
• Coordinate data collection, entry, and analysis to monitor and evaluate the programme, sharing insights and development actions with the team and Service Manager.
• Attend team days, contributing to reflection, planning and development of the overall organisation. 

Referral Process

• Coordinate and administer the referral process, coordinating its launch, reviewing and assessing applications and handling follow-up communications with referrers and applicants.
• Working with the Service Manager, identify the support needs of applicants and, carry out individual risk assessments.
• Arrange and complete applicant interviews (with the Service Manager), preparing applicants for the programme.
• Where required, sensitively communicate with referrers and applicants when a woman is not ready to attend the programme.
• Administer the programme waiting list.

Referral Partners

• Ensure good communication and ongoing partnership working with new and existing organisations referring women into the programme.
• Periodically, attend in person Bramber Bakehouse Open House events to promote the programme.
• Deliver online Open House sessions for referrers.
• If and when capacity allows, network with new potential referral partners. 

Volunteer Coordination and Support 

• Support volunteers during the programme sessions.
• Provide group and, if needed, one to one supervision meetings for volunteers.
• Work with the Service Manager to recruit volunteers when required.
• Deliver pre-existing volunteer induction training.
• Ensure volunteers who move on have a good ending to their time with Bramber Bakehouse and an opportunity to give feedback about their experiences. This includes collecting exit survey responses.

Programme Administration

• Be the main point of contact and liaison for students attending the baking, wellbeing & life skill programme.
• Organise student travel, getting to and from the programme.
• Working with the programme facilitators, prepare session materials according to the needs of the group.
• Facilitate each programme session debrief, keeping clear notes and following up on actions.
• Monitor and record the progression of students during the programme.
• Prepare agendas for, and keep clear notes of, pre and post programme planning meetings.
• Tracking and completing follow up actions.
• Provide some admin support for the baking facilitator (you do not need to have experience of baking and will not be required to demonstrate any baking skills).
• Ensure location risk assessments are reviewed and up to date (or completed for new locations).
• Follow up with students who have expressed an interest in sharing the story of their programme experience.
• Support with the integration of a new CRM

Personal Specification

Essential experience & skills

• Experience coordinating programmes, preferably in a charity or social enterprise setting.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to independently plan, prioritise and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse teams, including facilitators and volunteers.
• Confident in handling referrals, assessments and safeguarding processes.
• Able to collect, monitor, evaluate and report on key data & metrics.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for liaising with participants, partners, volunteers, and team members.
• Able to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Awareness of safeguarding principles - ability to identify and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Comfortable using IT tools and CRM systems for administration and record-keeping.
• Experience of keeping to professional boundaries. 

Desirable experience and skills 

• Understanding of trauma-informed and person-centred approaches, ideally with experience working with vulnerable women or survivors of abuse and displacement.
• Lived past experience of abuse, exploitation and/or displacement

Personal attributes

• Commitment to Bramber Bakehouse’s mission, vision, values and theory of change.
• Flexible and adaptable, comfortable working in a small charity environment where roles and processes are evolving.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Collaborative team player, contributing positively and supporting others as needed.
• Resilient and calm under pressure, with a strong problem-solving mindset.
• Warm, empathetic and approachable, with a genuine commitment to supporting and empowering women.
• Willingness to attend in-person meetings and events at the Eastbourne office.
• Female* 

*Due to the sensitive nature of our programmes, we only accept female applications for all roles directly supporting female survivors. 

All roles directly supporting women survivors will require a DBS check and mandatory safeguarding training prior to the role commencing.

No baking skills required — confident in supporting facilitators without needing to deliver baking content.

A note of working in a small charity

Bramber Bakehouse is a small charity with a big heart. Like many grassroots organisations, we are still building systems and processes as we grow, learn and adapt. This means we are looking for someone who thrives in a flexible, evolving environment.

You’ll need to be comfortable wearing many hats, contributing to collaborative thinking and stepping in to support others when needed. If you enjoy a mixture of autonomy, teamwork and being part of a hands-on, learning-focused culture, we’d love to work with you.

Title: Global Technical Lead - Digital Futures 

Location: Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract

Salary:  Local Terms and Conditions apply

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical leadership for a multi-country programme focused on digital skills development and employment for young people with disabilities, while advancing disability inclusion within workplaces and labour markets across East, West, and Southern Africa.
• Collaborate closely with fellow Global Technical Leads and implementing partners to ensure cohesive, high-impact delivery of programme objectives.
• Drive innovation by shaping and piloting new strategic initiatives that enhance the quality, relevance, and sustainability of Sightsavers’ work.
• Contribute to cross-organisational efforts in research, innovation, policy, advocacy, and communications, working in partnership with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Represent Sightsavers at senior level as a subject matter expert in digital inclusion and the digital economy, participating in national, regional, and international networks, conferences, and sector platforms.

This is a highly varied and involved role, and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential:

• Substantial experience leading and developing programmes focused on digital skills, training, and transition to employment, particularly in the Global South.
• Experience working within NGO or non-profit contexts, including managing donor-funded programmes.
• Proven ability to engage with a wide range of labour market stakeholders, especially the private sector, to improve employment and decent work outcomes.
• Strong understanding of current developments in AI and digital technologies and their implications for employment and labour markets in African and Global South contexts.
• Excellent spoken and written English, with the ability to produce detailed reports and deliver presentations.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to plan from both programmatic and organisational perspectives.
• Excellent leadership, networking, and stakeholder engagement skills, with diplomacy and tact.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments and work effectively within diverse teams.
• Experience developing and adapting technical guidance and programming tools.
• A clear commitment to disability inclusion, equality, and justice in digital and employment spaces.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for up to 12 weeks per year.

Desirable:

• Experience in advocacy for marginalised groups, particularly in disability inclusion.
• Proficiency in French.

Next Steps

To apply for this exciting new opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

While we are confident that this role will go ahead, it is subject to final funding confirmation. We will ensure that all candidates are kept informed throughout the recruitment process.

Closing date: 20 July 2025