Policy manager volunteer roles in manchester

About YAUK

Youth Advantage UK is a charitable organization that uses a research-led approach to inform policy work and projects
that aim to promote and further the human rights of young people aged 11 to 25 across the United Kingdom.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

This is an opportunity for someone who holds a PhD or Research Master’s degree to join our team as a Research Manager, and use their experience in guiding and managing our research function(s). Initially there will be a focus on managing the preliminary research function, which carries out research on specific topics to best inform, guide and direct our work in protecting the rights and interests of young people.

Responsibilities

· To manage welfare of researchers

· Look after day to day management and support of teams, stand in for absences (including undertaking research tasks, where necessary).

· Monitor and report on performance

· To advise on and provide feedback on matters of research

· To line manage senior researchers

· To advise on, guide and manage research workflow, ensuring of ethical research and policy compliance

· To ensure of a focus on organizational goals

· To lead planning as required

· To have oversight on research being carried out and the outcomes of such, ensuring it is to a high standard

You will need

· A PhD or Master’s degree

· To have experience operationally in a research role

· To understand how to motivate a team and manage others

Benefits

This is a UK based 100% fully remote and flexible role with a time commitment of 5 hours per week.

Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

Why volunteer with us?

We are a supportive and friendly organisation that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations.

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience to help you begin your career in Research as we endeavour to grow our organisation and continue to make positive changes to the lives of young people. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About YAUK

Youth Advantage UK is a charitable organization that uses a research-led approach to inform policy work and projects
that aim to promote and further the human rights of young people aged 11 to 25 across the United Kingdom.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

This is an opportunity for someone who holds a PhD or Research Master’s degree to join our team as a Research Manager, and use their experience in guiding and managing our research function(s). Initially there will be a focus on managing the preliminary research function, which carries out research on specific topics to best inform, guide and direct our work in protecting the rights and interests of young people.

Responsibilities

· To manage welfare of researchers

· Look after day to day management and support of teams, stand in for absences (including undertaking research tasks, where necessary).

· Monitor and report on performance

· To advise on and provide feedback on matters of research

· To line manage senior researchers

· To advise on, guide and manage research workflow, ensuring of ethical research and policy compliance

· To ensure of a focus on organizational goals

· To lead planning as required

· To have oversight on research being carried out and the outcomes of such, ensuring it is to a high standard

You will need

· A PhD or Master’s degree

· To have experience operationally in a research role

· To understand how to motivate a team and manage others

Benefits

This is a UK based 100% fully remote and flexible role with a time commitment of 5 hours per week.

Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

Why volunteer with us?

We are a supportive and friendly organisation that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations.

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience to help you begin your career in Research as we endeavour to grow our organisation and continue to make positive changes to the lives of young people. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About YAUK

Youth Advantage UK is a charitable organization that uses a research-led approach to inform policy work and projects
that aim to promote and further the human rights of young people aged 11 to 25 across the United Kingdom.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

Overview

We are looking to appoint a Senior Research Manager who is able to lead all our Initial Research function, this function is fulfilled by usually 4 teams all led by a Research Manager and Senior Researcher. Initial Research Teams follow an Initial Research framework which guides our research led approach. Suggestions for research topics are made at regular intervals and these teams carry that research out over the course of a few months. Once initial research has been carried out a report is created and this is referred for either long term research, policy work or a long term project. 

Responsibilities

• To support the overall management of the Research & Policy Department by leading the Initial Research function

• To guide and support more junior management to achieve success in their roles, directly managing up to 4 Research Managers 

• To have overall responsibility for all of our Initial Research work, usually overseeing approximately 4 short term research projects at any one time

• To engage with research ethics volunteers to ensure of ethical compliance

• To oversee and develop relevant procedure and process

• To align Initial Research Team Research Managers with the objectives and goals of the department 

• To provide support to Research Managers and Initial Research Teams, ensuring a good level of support is provided across each team

• To ensure of effective supervision of volunteers

​You will need

• Some experience in a management position 

• At least 2 years of operational research experience

• A postgraduate course of study, ideally at PhD level

• A good understanding of ethical compliance in research 

• Planning skills 

• Research report writing experience

• Ability to create and manage policy

Benefits

• This is a UK based 100% Fully remote and flexible role 

• Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) seeks to engage in bidding and tendering to deliver health and social care services effectively.  Our goal is to ensure sustainability and positively impact the lives of more people.  We want assistance in developing an ambitious strategy.

What will you be doing?

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for a talented Bid Manager to join our passionate team at the Africa Health Organisation (AHO)!  Since 1999, we've been dedicated to delivering health and social care to millions across Africa and the Diaspora, and now we're ready to further elevate our impact.

This year, we're embarking on a mission to broaden our funding strategy by incorporating bid and tender opportunities.  Our goal is to engage with governments in Africa and the UK, the public sector, and the public, providing essential, practical, and emotional support to those facing chronic conditions.  We need a visionary like you to help us achieve our goals.

We're seeking a dynamic, experienced Bid Manager to develop and execute a winning strategy to secure the necessary financial backing.  There are numerous exciting possibilities ahead, including central government tenders, local and statutory opportunities.  We're eager to explore them all.

In this pivotal role, you'll plan and execute our bids and tender writing efforts, ensuring that our bid proposals not only shine but also come to life in meaningful ways.  If you're a bid writer who thrives on creativity and collaboration, we want to hear from you!  Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to inspire and mentor volunteers within our bid and tender team, making a positive impact together.  Join us on this exciting journey!

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Role Description:

Bid Management: Lead and manage the entire bid and tender process, ensuring submissions meet deadlines and align with client requirements across the UK & Ireland.

Proposal Development: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop tailored, high-quality, and persuasive proposals that align with our value proposition.

Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with sales, operations, legal, and clinical teams to gather critical input and ensure accurate, compliant, and compelling submissions.

Market Analysis: Stay informed on market trends, tender opportunities, and competitor activity to identify and secure strategic opportunities.

Compliance: Ensure all submissions adhere to company standards, client specifications, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Process Improvement: Continuously refine bid processes, content libraries, templates, and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Post-Submission Activities: Manage debrief processes and gather feedback to inform future submissions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead AHO bids: Manage the whole bid process with a hands-on approach.
• Create strong responses: Tailor solutions that clearly show our value.
• Support growth: Work with Business Development and Marketing to boost propositions.
• Drive best practice: Lead bid qualification, governance, and reviews.
• User-focused: Understand needs and clearly present our solutions.
• Know the landscape: Medical, research industries, and opportunities.
• Know our strengths: Stay sharp on our services and competitors.
• Seal the deal: Coordinate smooth contract closures.
• Stay tidy: Keep the bid library updated and accessible.
• Keep comms clear: Align stakeholders throughout the process.
• Stay compliant: Follow governance and secure approvals.
• Push for quality: Lead reviews to ensure high-standard submissions.
• Maintain the opportunity pipeline: utilising CRM and creating reports for management.
• Taking the lead on other business development activities, such as award submissions, whitepapers, and sales collateral.
• Supporting every stage of the sales funnel: by working closely with marketing, sales, implementation, and operations teams.

What are we looking for?

Person Specification: What You'll Bring:

• At least two years of proven experience in bid and tender management, preferably within the healthcare (NHS & private), medical, or technology sectors.
• End-to-end bid management experience: A minimum of 4 years' experience leading the whole bid process.
• Preferred qualifications include a degree in Business, Communication, Marketing, Creative Writing, English or equivalent.
• APMP Certification is also desirable.
• Sector versatility: Experience with both public- and private-sector bids in the medical, biotech, biomed, health, and social sectors is preferred.
• Industry knowledge: Understanding of contact centres and/or customer experience is essential.
• Commercial acumen: Strong business sense, negotiation skills, and a hands-on approach.
• Resilience under pressure: Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Detail orientation: High attention to detail to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Growth mindset: Self-motivated, proactive, and focused on continuous improvement.
• Strong communicator: Confident and articulate, with the ability to build trusted relationships across stakeholders.
• Time management: Skilled at prioritising tasks and managing competing deadlines.

What difference will you make?

In this exciting role, you will lead the strategic process for winning new business through competitive bids, tenders, and proposals, ultimately elevating AHO's success. Your specialised knowledge will enhance our win rates and maximise revenue by bringing clarity, quality, and coordination to what can be a complex and high-stakes journey. impact

Your primary mission is to boost AHO's tender win rates and strengthen our strategic advantage.  By diligently overseeing each step of the bidding process—from initial evaluation to final submission—you will significantly improve the quality and persuasion of our proposals, directly increasing our chances of securing valuable contracts.

You'll provide key insights to help AHO target the most promising opportunities by implementing a thoughtful "bid/no-bid" process.  This approach will ensure we focus only on lucrative and winnable contracts that closely align with our strategic goals, ultimately saving time and resources and allowing us to prioritise high-potential projects.

In this role, you will orchestrate a well-coordinated process that drives operational efficiency.  As the central point of contact, you will gather input from diverse internal teams—sales, finance, legal, and technical—ensuring everyone collaborates smoothly to meet critical deadlines.

As a leader, you'll elevate the quality of our bid content.  By overseeing the creation of compelling, polished materials, you'll ensure our final submissions are professional, cohesive, and error-free. You will utilise a centralised content library containing valuable resources, such as case studies and CVs, to streamline efforts and enhance our proposals.

You will keep projects on track by developing detailed project plans and timelines, ensuring all tasks are completed on time—especially critical in the fast-paced environment of tender submissions.  Your effective management will ease colleagues' workloads, allowing the entire team to shine.

To foster long-term business growth, you'll create a wealth of knowledge around our tenders and bids. By conducting insightful post-submission debriefs and analysing feedback, you will capture invaluable lessons from both successes and setbacks.  This ongoing improvement process will enhance our bidding capabilities for future opportunities.

You also have the opportunity to enhance AHO's brand reputation by submitting well-organised, accurate, and compliant bids.  By doing so, you'll showcase our professionalism and reliability to clients, building trust and solidifying our credible standing in the market.

Strategic alignment is vital for sustaining consistent, stable business growth.  Together, we can make a remarkable impact on development.

We are seeking a new Chair for the Scottish Workforce Professional Development Board (WPDB). The group has been working for five years to deliver their skills plan for Scotland, and is well established with 12 members from a variety of different stakeholders in Scotland, including employers, education providers and government agencies.

The UK WPDB is the lead on workforce policy, with a vision of growing the attractiveness of working in the sport and physical activity sector and of ensuring that all customers and consumers have a safe and excellent experience.  The Scottish WPDB was established to ensure the successful delivery of UK-wide workforce policy and strategy within Scotland, reflecting the significant differences between each of the home nations in areas such as legal systems, education policy, funding, delivery infrastructure and career pathways.   It has the flexibility to operate in line with the Scottish policies and priorities.

We are looking for an individual who understands the sector’s workforce requirements within Scotland and has an ambitious view for what the future could look like.  You will have a proven ability to drive strategic discussions around workforce policy, and to provide effective leadership to the rest of the Board. 

Bi Pride UK’s mission is to create spaces where people who experience attraction beyond gender can be freely visible and celebrate themselves and their identities. It’s not enough to be ‘welcome’ at Pride. We make up a very large proportion of the queer community – the 2021 Census actually shows we’re half of the community – and we deserve to be visible and celebrated in our own right.

There are many ways to make this happen, and we work in many ways to bring this change about:

• Outreach work with other Prides, LGBTQ+ organisations and bi organisations – our consultation work with local Prides, the UK Pride Organisers Network and local and national LGBTQ+ organisations works in a tailored way to make sure that bi inclusion is a top priority and is being done well
• Organising a high-profile annual Bi Pride event – from September 2019, Bi Pride UK made history with the largest ever gathering of bi people recorded. A performance stage, a panel stage, stall village, street food, and over 1,300 attendees. After going virtual with the BiFi Festival for 2020 due to Covid-19 and running a virtual Pride event in 2021, we came back in person in 2022 with a hybrid event, and have been running the event in this format ever since
• Building a strong online and virtual community – just as important as the rest of our work is making sure that people hear about it! People need to know what resources and spaces exist for them, and how they can connect with other people like them

The role:

We are looking for a volunteer to take a lead on our internal and external monitoring and evaluation work; gathering data about different areas of our activities to ensure that we are having as much impact as possible and can communicate that clearly to a variety of audiences. This role will also be responsible for collecting and assessing valuable evidence about the experiences of bi communities in the UK, helping the charity to share insight into the bi community.

Sitting within the Organisational Development team, this role is a crucial connecting point between teams to help the charity continually identify areas for improvement and growth. This is an exciting opportunity to grow within a small team and help to develop this area of the charity’s work, with aspirations to explore opportunities for longer-term, externally-funded research and evaluation projects, and develop a Policy function for the charity. 

Ideal time commitment: approx. 5-10 hours per month; flexible. 

Location: remote/ home based, in-person attendance at events is desirable.

Supported/ supervised by: the Head of Organisational Development, also working closely with the Organisational Development team.

Key tasks of this role will include: 

• Working with the Head of Organisational Development to define impact in a way that allows us to begin measuring our work in a way that makes sense for a charity of our size and maturity;
• Continuing to develop and implement an impact strategy to sit alongside our strategic objectives;
• Liaising with volunteers across Bi Pride UK to develop internal systems and processes for evaluating our activities, projects, programmes and events;
• Leading on generating and analysing data for a variety of purposes, for example, to be used in briefings, annual impact reports, end-of-grant reports, and in social media posts; 
• Promoting and sharing best practice to maximise impact within Bi Pride UK.

Our team volunteers remotely from anywhere in the UK, with some travel required occasionally (primarily for our flagship Pride event in London in August). All reasonable expenses incurred are reimbursed, including travel, lunch at away days and other all day events, and some childcare costs if required. Regular team meetings take place via conference call and are scheduled in line with the team’s best availability. 

Volunteer specification:

• Interest and passion for tackling discrimination against and improving the visibility of people in the UK attracted to more than one gender;
• An understanding of the needs of people and communities in the UK attracted beyond gender;
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Bi Pride UK;
• Experience of introducing and embedding processes, standards, and evaluating impact in a professional environment;
• Experience of working in collaboration with multiple teams;
• Strong project management, organisational, perseverance and administrative skills;
• Experience of writing accessible reports to express impact findings;
• Ability and willingness to contribute towards writing funding proposals;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to communicate confidently, coherently and sensitively on complex issues of identity, power dynamics and privilege;
• Meticulous attention to detail;
• Strong team player, with the ability to self-motivate when working remotely.

The position is open to anyone over the age of 18. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially minority groups such as applicants of colour, trans and non-binary applicants and disabled and/ or neurodivergent applicants. Bi Pride UK is aware of the barriers that can be faced in gaining traditional work experience, particularly for global majority, disabled and/ or neurodivergent and trans people. We will give weight to this and encourage people when applying to consider caring responsibilities, including parenthood, volunteering, and other non-paid experiences and responsibilities when making their application.

Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for community engagement and urban planning? Perhaps you have recently retired and would like to help the next generation of planners to gain some experience?

Planning Aid for London is seeking dynamic individuals to join us as a Lead Volunteer Caseworkers. This role is a great opportunity for experienced town planners to help communities to shape the future of London's neighbourhoods and contribute to positive community development.

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking experienced and motivated individuals with at least 5 years experience in:

• Urban planning
•  Development management
• Planning policy
• Planning enforcement 
• Planning applications (understanding the terminology, responding to planning applications)
• Navigating planning committee meetings

If you have proven leadership skills, excellent communication skills and a commitment to empowering communities, we want to hear from you!

Diversity Statement

Planning Aid for London's main aim is to help support greater diversity and inclusion for residents as part of the planning system. We work to empower people to have real influence over decisions about their environment and communities and welcome opportunities from anyone who would like to help us to achieve that.

Planning Aid for London is aware that discrimination based on sex, race, ability, sexuality, class, gender, religion, age, maternity, parenthood or other characteristics can be consciously or subconsciously replicated in its undertakings and will eliminate any form of discrimination in its activities. To achieve this Planning Aid for London regularly reviews and monitors their work and practises.

Transform is looking for a new Treasurer to join our board of Trustees!

We are looking for a qualified accountant, preferably with experience in the charity sector; knowledge and experience of the drug sector an advantage.

As we are a small organisation this is quite a hands-on role. You will need:

 To work collaboratively with the CEO, our book-keepers and the auditors to produce annual accounts
and regular financial statements
 Proven accountancy qualifications, budgeting and understanding the finance of small
charities including a working knowledge of xero 
 Ability to translate finances in an easy-to-understand manner for different
stakeholders with less financial knowledge
 Good knowledge of charity governance rules and procedures
 To be passionate about the values and mission of the charity

You will also work closely with the Chair and the Board to ensure we are meeting our
financial objectives
You will be willing to bring experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and be
willing to broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

About Transform
Transform Drug Policy Foundation is a global leader in developing, and advocating for, more
humane drug policies. Our vision is a world where drug policy contributes to safer and
healthier societies. We want to recruit a treasurer, to oversee income and expenditure of the
organisation, to help drive forward our work.

This is an exciting time in drug policy. Rapid changes in approach are occurring in the UK and
internationally. Transform has a long history of shaping these changes and seeking to ensure
that reform reduces harm, improves social justice and protects public health. Our Anyone’s
Child campaign is a highly effective family-led movement that has had a significant impact
here and abroad. But like so many charities, we are feeling the strain from the cost of giving
crisis and gaining longer-term sustainable funding is essential for the continuation of our
important work. 

We welcome applications from all candidates with the skills and commitment to support the
work of Transform. We especially welcome applications from Black and minority ethnic
candidates as part of our commitment to ensuring a full diversity of experience is reflected in
our work. We are also interested to hear from candidates with personal lived experience
which informs their understanding of the need for drug policy reform.

***PhD required***

12 month minimum comminitment

only applicants with a PhD will be considered

About YAUK

Youth Advantage UK is a charitable organization that uses a research-led approach to inform policy work and projects
that aim to promote and further the human rights of young people aged 11 to 25 across the United Kingdom.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

Responsibilities

• To manage strategy, policy and the vision of the Research & Policy Department 

• To guide and support more junior management to achieve success in their roles 

• To have overall responsibility for all of our research and policy work

• To oversee research ethics

• To oversee and develop departmental procedure and process

• To align the department with its objective and goals

• To be lead the department and oversee all of its volunteers and functions, this include all inital research, all long term research, ethics and policy

​You will need

• Management experience 

• Research experience

• Have completed a postgraduate course of study at PhD level

• Research ethics experiance 

• Planning skills 

• Research report writing experience 

• Ability to create and manage policy

Benefits

• This is a UK based 100% Fully remote and flexible role 

• Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

 Why volunteer with us?

We are a supportive and friendly organisation that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations. 

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience to help you begin your career in Research as we endeavour to grow our organisation and continue to make positive changes to the lives of young people. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Media & Communications Director will play a pivotal role in developing communication strategies to enhance awareness and recognition of mountain rescue and the teams within the UK, and supporting internal communication to enable effective dissemination of information and news for Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW), supporting 47 active mountain rescue teams across the region. This voluntary position is responsible for devising and implementing a robust plan, working alongside a range of partners and colleagues.

Reporting to the CEO, the person will need to contribute to the MREW’s overall future strategy. There will be a need to understand the MR structure and to have the ability to work as part of the MREW Senior Management Team, and alongside trustees, liaison team, regional structure and local teams. 

Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW) is a voluntary organisation that provides mountain rescue services 24/7, 365 days a year, and offers support to communities during other crises. It consists of 47 independent volunteer search and rescue teams that operate across eight geographical areas. The organisation serves as the national body to represent the whole organisation, acting as an advisory body, linking with partner organisations and helping to standardise training and share information.

Objectives

 The overarching activities for this role are:

• Development of external communication to a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts and ‘new explorers’ taking an interest in the great outdoors. 
•  Leadership of a small team plus the wider Media and Communications Network (MCN) of MR volunteers to develop and deliver a Media and Communications Strategy and programme of activity
  • Publications and online communications (all social media)
  • Website development
  • Development of key messages, inc. support to MREW spokespeople (messages, materials and training) to enable effective stakeholder communications.
•  Leading and planning for effective reactive communications in challenging situations, including issues management, messaging and spokesperson briefing.
• Liaison with external partners (PR, Magazine Editor, Public Affairs), relevant media and stakeholders, including a process for responding to incoming enquiries and interview requests and a process for planning proactive media activities.
•  Development of key messages inc. safety messaging
• The development of effective Internal communications to support knowledge of MREW and to enable consistency of message from the family of Teams.
• Represent MREW at relevant external meetings.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to inspire and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to foster trust and accurately represent MREW’s mission and goals.
•  Ability to work alongside colleagues and manage competing priorities.
• Creativity, imagination and intuition.
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken.
• Good organisational and project management skills.
• An ability to develop, negotiate and work within a financial budget.
• A strategic approach to the reputational management of mountain rescue in England and Wales (at all levels).
• Knowledge and understanding of the various forms of media, including broadcast and print, digital and social, so as to be able to meet their differing needs and ensure that there is a clear process for the handling of approaches or enquiries to MREW from outside media organisations, agencies or individuals.

Personal Attributes

• The ability to lead and motivate a team that combines volunteer and professional roles and that covers a range of disciplines, skills and platforms.
• Capable of working under pressure, within constraints and meeting deadlines.
• The ability to build and maintain relationships, internally and externally, based on integrity and trust.
• The ability to delegate to others, engaging and involving appropriate support from the wider network.
• Strong personal creativity, imagination and intuition in dealing with challenges, opportunities and people.
• A proactive attitude, with the drive and enthusiasm to initiate and carry out projects to conclusion, involving others, on time and on budget.
• Resilience, particularly when faced with challenges, uncertainty and setbacks.

Management responsibilities:

• To contribute to the management of MREW through regular business meetings, ensuring that the media and communications aspects of activity are considered in planning and decision-making.
• To ensure all network members are treated fairly, in line with MREW policies and also its mission and values.
• To develop an approach to the sustainability of the Media and Communications function, including succession planning for key roles and the strengthening of the dispersed network.

We are looking for a motivated, self-starter with a proactive attitude, drive and enthusiasm to carry out projects to conclusion. You will need to demonstrate commitment to the mission and cause of the charity. 

Qualifications

• Essential to this role is an awareness of the internal character of MR and the external environment in which it operates, and an ability to identify and anticipate communications priorities.
• Practical experience in a media or communications management role is also desirable, for instance, such as journalism, PR, marketing, or online media.
• An ability to plan proactive media and communications activities and to develop ways of measuring their effectiveness.
• Experience of issues and crisis management, enabling anticipation and support to management and others on the development of plans, messages and position statements.

Additional notes

• To work with the CEO to plan for future activity and to ensure that a planned communications approach is developed.
• To ensure all committee members are treated fairly through MREW Equal Opportunities Policy.
• To work with other national teams to release internal communications, press statements and support campaigns as required.
• This is a voluntary role within MREW, elected annually; it is expected that the applicant will serve a term of 5 years, with a possible extension of a further 5 years if desired.
• Travel during the working day may be required, with occasional absence from home overnight, as meetings with partners, colleagues, and other stakeholders may cover a large geographical area. Out-of-pocket expenses can be reclaimed in line with the MREW Expenses Policy.

Wild Welfare is an international animal welfare charity dedicated to ending the suffering of captive wild animals. We work with zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries around the world to improve animal welfare standards through training, capacity-building, and long-term collaboration.

Our Vision is to create a world where every captive wild animal is able to thrive and live a good life.

Becoming a trustee of Wild Welfare is a chance to make a real difference to hundreds of thousands of animals’ lives around the world. You’ll help guide the charity’s future, support progressive animal welfare reform, and work with an expert team.

We are seeking Trustees to join our Board of Trustees and support our mission by helping us grow sustainable income and strengthen our organisational resilience.

This is an exciting opportunity to bring your professional expertise in fundraising, legalisation, HR and Business Management, to a passionate and committed charity that is making a tangible difference to wild animals worldwide.

What you’ll do

• Contribute to the Board’s strategic oversight of Wild Welfare, providing leadership over the charity’s governance and financial sustainability.
• Provide expert guidance on income generation, fundraising strategy, charity management, and development.
• Support the charity in identifying and developing new fundraising opportunities (corporate partnerships, grants, major donors, and innovative income streams).
• Act as an ambassador for Wild Welfare, representing the charity and helping to expand our networks.
• Work collaboratively with fellow trustees and the senior leadership team to ensure the charity achieves its mission and long-term objectives.

What we’re looking for

We welcome applications from individuals with experience in any of the following areas:

• Fundraising (trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, or major donors).
• Charity and/or business development and strategic growth.
• Commercial or financial acumen, ideally with an understanding of not-for-profit income generation.
• Knowledge of the legal aspects of charity management and compliance.
• Strong networks and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to Wild Welfare’s values and passion for improving the lives of captive wild animals.

Previous trustee experience or animal welfare experience is not essential – we welcome applications from people new to charity governance. Full induction and support will be provided.

Why join us?

• Play a vital role in shaping the future of an international charity.
• Contribute your skills to a cause which transforms lives for wild animals across the globe.
• Join a collaborative and supportive Board of Trustees with diverse expertise.
• Gain valuable governance and leadership experience.

Role Specification: Trustee

Main Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight on matters relating to fundraising and income generation.
• Help shape and monitor the charity’s fundraising strategy, ensuring it is realistic, ethical, and aligned with organisational goals.
• Advise on diversifying income streams, with a focus on long-term sustainability.
• Open doors to new partnerships, networks, and opportunities that may benefit the charity.
• Support the Director and senior management team by offering constructive advice, feedback, and expertise.
• Overseeing the charity’s compliance with fundraising regulations and best practice standards.
• Uphold the Board’s collective responsibility for effective governance, safeguarding, and financial management.

Person Specification

• Essential
  • Experience in fundraising, charity/business development, or income generation.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to analyse opportunities and risks.
  • Willingness to use personal networks and expertise to further the charity’s fundraising potential and reach.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Commitment to Wild Welfare’s mission, values, and long-term sustainability.
• Desirable
  • Knowledge of international development, or the animal welfare sector.
  • Understanding of charity governance and the role of a trustee.
  • Experience in developing sustainable income models.

Terms of Appointment

• This is a voluntary position; reasonable expenses will be reimbursed if required to travel for meetings.
• Trustees are expected to attend virtual Board meetings twice a year (usually June and December) and participate in occasional sub-committees or events (virtual or in-person). Online meetings are limited to 1.5-hours.
• The initial term is three years, with the option of renewal for a further three years.
• It is a criminal offence for an individual to serve as a Trustee if disqualified from doing so. Appropriate checks will be carried out to ensure that individuals who have been selected to become a Trustee are eligible. These checks will include references and Charity Commission/Companies House verification.
• There will be an initial probationary period of 1-year.
• Trustees are subject to our governing documents.
• Wild Welfare is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

Job Description
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Working Relationships: C-Level Executives, National Research, Policy, Ethics, Research Reporting, and Local Operations
Location: Remote, UK-based
Time Commitment: 12 months minimum | Part-time | Flexible hours

About the Role
We are seeking a volunteer Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership across our national and local operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective delivery of projects and research, maintaining ethical and operational standards, and driving continuous improvement across all organisational systems and processes.

This is a senior voluntary position ideal for an experienced operations or strategy leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to make an impact in the not-for-profit or research sector.

Please note: This is a voluntary and unpaid role. There is no direct financial compensation or future paid opportunity attached.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of Policy, Ethics and Research Reporting, National Operations, and Local Operations (including projects and research).

• Oversee operational delivery to ensure smooth, ethical, and effective implementation of all projects.

• Lead the optimisation of systems, structures, and processes to maximise organisational efficiency.

• Ensure resource allocation is effective and aligned with strategic goals.

• Support and collaborate with C-Level colleagues to drive organisational progress.

• Attend high-level meetings and provide regular operational updates and recommendations.

• Act as a key decision-maker in operational strategy, compliance, and performance management.

• Support and coach department heads and senior managers to strengthen internal leadership capacity.

• Step in to provide hands-on support to other C-Level officers and direct reports when needed.

What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a confident, experienced, and adaptable leader who can bring structure, strategy, and calm to a dynamic environment. You’ll be most successful in this role if you have:
• Significant experience in operations management, project delivery, or organisational leadership.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple teams or departments in complex environments.
• Strong ethical grounding and commitment to compliance and transparency.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
• Experience mentoring or managing senior leaders or functional heads.
• Comfort working remotely with cross-functional, volunteer-led teams.
• A collaborative, supportive leadership style and openness to learning and adaptation.
• An understanding of the not-for-profit, research, or policy sectors (advantageous but not essential).

What You’ll Gain
• The opportunity to lead national operations for a values-led organisation making a tangible impact.
• Executive-level experience within a collaborative, mission-driven C-Suite.
• The chance to refine strategic and operational leadership skills in a complex, real-world setting.
• Recognition through:
o LinkedIn testimonial and reference
o A public thank you post
o Permission to list the organisation as an employer on your CV/LinkedIn
o A written reference upon completion of your commitment

Important Information
This is a voluntary position. There is no financial payment, benefits, or employment status. This opportunity is ideal for seasoned operations leaders or executives seeking to contribute their expertise to a meaningful, values-driven mission and support the growth of an impactful organisation.

Apply Now
If you’re ready to help shape the strategic and operational backbone of a growing organisation and support our mission through effective leadership, we’d love to hear from you.

We are currently looking for a new Digital Fundraising Trustee who can use their skills to support our growing charity. We need someone with relevant fundraising experience who thrives as part of a dynamic group of Trustees, who is willing to champion the charity and who values seeing the impact that our work can make

The Digital Fundraising Trustee will participate in all areas of the charity’s governance with a special interest in the fundraising implications of the strategy, governance and support with the Board’s understanding and interpretation.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we implement our new 5-year strategy for 2025-2030.

The Link to apply is listed in the attached Recruitment Pack or can be accessed via the Redirect to recruiter button.

Our Shop Volunteers raise money for the people we support with a Learning Disability. Do you have a few hours a week to spare and share your time with us?

Our retail roles are varied and fun. You could be sorting donations from the public, dressing our window or serving customers on the till. There are many people from different walks of life and it's a great way to get practical experience and to meet new people.

This role will take place on a weekly basis for a few hours We will try our best to be flexible around the best time for you, but also need to consider the store opening times and volunteer rota. It could be a weekday or weekend, morning or afternoon, our stores are usually open 7 days a week. We’d appreciate any time that you can spare.

Whilst in the store, you will help with activities based on the needs of the Store Manager.

 Tasks you could get up to whilst volunteering could include:

• Serving customers on the till
• Taking stock donations from the public
• Tagging and steaming stock for the shop floor
• Dressing the window displays
• Asking people to join us as a volunteer

As a Retail Volunteer you will be:

• Friendly and Approachable
• Reliable, Kind and Patient
• A good communicator (including listener)
• Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

As a Mencap volunteer you will:

• Make new friends and raise important funds for people with a learning disability
• Get reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
• Receive full Training and support
• Volunteer alongside other people
• Have a chance to give back your local community

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.