Policy research jobs

A permanent position has arisen in our friendly and fast-moving Public Affairs and Campaigns team. The role will support Alzheimer’s Research UK to seize opportunities for improving the political environment for dementia research, treatment and prevention and increase our impact with government and in parliament.

The role will work closely with colleagues in policy and campaigns to develop opportunities for influencing decision-makers and make breakthroughs possible by promoting our key policy asks. You will engage with stakeholders across parliament, government and the wider sector to support the growth of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s influence and ultimately address the harm and heartbreak caused by dementia.

This is a creative directorate, and our Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns teams are focused on developing solutions to critical and complex issues. You will have opportunities to work on projects and initiatives that take the charity in exciting new directions. The role is likely to include regular work in Westminster, Whitehall and elsewhere in the UK.

Key Responsibilities:

 Public Affairs:

· Develop and deliver influencing plans to secure our key policy asks on dementia research, treatment and prevention.

· Work with colleagues to develop and deliver proactive and reactive parliamentary activity to grow ARUK’s network of engaged, informed and supportive political stakeholders.

· Work across the policy and public affairs team to assist in developing tailored briefings and materials to further ARUK’s policy and public affairs ambitions.

· Keep abreast of the dementia research and political environments and use political intelligence and insight to help inform the team’s work and direction.

· Provide analysis and insight on relevant legislation and policy guidance to help further and inform ARUK’s policy and public affairs work.

· Prepare parliamentary briefings, develop submissions for parliamentary questions and other opportunities presented through the parliamentary system.

· Lead on gathering information to measure our public affairs impact and report regularly, including across the organisation and up to Directors.

Campaigns and awareness raising

· Work with the policy, public affairs, campaigns, research and communications teams to help deliver public affairs campaigns and campaign messaging focused on ARUK policy objectives and help shape these messages for a political audience.

· Work with the communications and digital teams to help develop digital public affairs opportunities.

Event and meeting management

· Planning and coordinating parliamentary events focused around ARUK key policy and public affairs objectives.

· Represent ARUK at parliamentary and other events and conferences, including national party conferences.

· Co-ordinate and attend meetings with parliamentarians and stakeholders alongside senior staff and to provide briefings for staff and take follow-up actions.

· Liaise with colleagues, scientists, supporters and stakeholders at all levels.

What we are looking for:

· Experience of working with parliamentarians

· Knowledge of the UK political system and an interest in politics, public affairs and campaigning

· Experience of building positive relationships with decision-makers, influencers or supporters

Additional Information:

Ways of working:

Agile - As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £30,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 30th November 2025, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

Libraries Connected is seeking a Research and Evaluation Manager to join our newly formed Policy, External Affairs, and Research Team. This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver impactful research and evaluation across the public library sector.

You’ll lead internal research and data projects, provide in-house evaluation for programmes, and manage external research partnerships—including with academic institutions. Your work will directly inform advocacy, communications, and strategic decision-making.

We’re looking for someone with strong research and analytical skills, experience in managing complex data, and the ability to translate findings into accessible outputs. You’ll be collaborative, detail-oriented, and confident working independently across multiple projects.

Contract: 2-year rolling

Location: Remote working (with occasional international travel for events)

(For non-UK candidates, please note that you would be hired via Deel either as a contractor or as an employee with local national benefits)

Reporting to: Policy & Advocacy Advisor

The organisation  

United for Global Mental Health was founded in January 2018. It exists to support and unite the global effort to promote good mental health. Through our campaigning, advocacy and financing work, we aim to create a world in which everyone, everywhere has someone to turn to in support of their mental health. Since 2018, we have worked with a variety of international and national partners to help us reach this goal.

The Initiative:    

The WHO Constitution and several UN human rights declarations affirm everyone’s right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. However, many countries’ laws and policies fall short of enabling this. Human rights violations and barriers to access persist, often due to the prioritisation of institutional care over primary and community-based services, and the existence of discriminatory laws, such as those criminalising suicide. Addressing these issues is a key focus of UnitedGMH’s human rights pillar under its current three-year strategy.

The Role: 

You have the opportunity to join this initiative, working as part of a global policy, advocacy and financing organisation that puts its national partners and persons with lived experience of mental health at the forefront of their advocacy efforts. You will work with the Policy and Advocacy Advisor and colleagues, to develop, coordinate, support and implement policy and advocacy projects including; influencing global, regional and national law and policy, conducting research, report writing, drafting policy briefs and positions, partnership building and management, supporting national partners with their advocacy and representing the organisation at online and in-person events, including at key global moments. You will be working to achieve the objectives of our strategic pillar on rights, delivering on the 2026 strategy and action plan for the project on decriminalising suicide worldwide and supporting the project to deinstitutionalise mental health care, as well as contributing to the work across the organisation. You will also have the opportunity to help shape our next three-year organisation strategy from 2027-2029. 

You:

You have a proven track record in international health policy and advocacy with an eye for detail and an entrepreneurial spirit. Confident to work across the range of advocacy and policy activities you are flexible, competent and take initiative, and have a desire to learn and grow.  You are a true team player; able to take both responsibility in managing important projects and relationships and unafraid to take on essential tasks to support the team.  You have a passion for international development, law and policy and mental health.

Responsibilities:

• Partner Support: Help to build and manage partner relations with external stakeholders including national and global civil society, research institutions, governments, UN agencies, donors etc. Support them with their national advocacy and assist them in developing and managing national coalitions to advance their work at a national level. 

• Stakeholder relations: Support, and sometimes lead, engagement with key governments, the UN and other international organisations. As appropriate, directly engage and manage relationships with key decision-makers and global and regional advocacy organisations.

• Engagement of Experts by Experience and young people: ensure experts by experience of mental health conditions and young people are provided opportunities to influence global and national policy through your projects 

• Grant and contract management: Lead in the identification of funders in your program area and develop funding proposals for work on policy, advocacy and financing; track and report on grant deliverables.

• Policy, advocacy & financing strategies: Lead the design and implementation of policy, advocacy and financing strategies for UnitedGMH and in collaboration with, or for, a range of stakeholders.

• Policy reports and papers: Draft policy reports and papers to support high level influencing.

• Briefings, policy packs and influencing language: Preparing briefings, policy packs and influencing language for senior government officials, Ministers, and other decision-makers as well as national partners as required.

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: regularly update UnitedGMH’s MEL system with relevant data and information around your projects

• Communications: Support the internal and external communication activities of the organisation and develop project-based communications plans.

• Funder profiles: Maintain updated profiles on key mental health funders.

• Events: Organise meetings, events (including side-events at key global moments), workshops and small gatherings of partners and other stakeholders.

• Represent the organisation: Speak on behalf of the organisation on your project areas at key global moments and in-person and virtual events, webinars and conferences

Experience:

• You will have at least five years of experience working in country and/or global health policy, advocacy and/or financing for a UN agency, non-governmental organisation, think tank or decision-maker.

• You will have undertaken work related to public health and/or human rights and have a track record of advocacy with policy makers, brief/report writing and research.

• A background in health, including mental health, either professionally or through lived experience. 

• Demonstrable experience of having worked on health legislation and policy in low- and middle-income countries, including drafting, reviewing and/or having been part of consultative processes at a government level. Experience working on suicide prevention policies/strategies or the decriminalisation of suicide and/or the repeal of other discriminatory legislation will be preferred. 

• Low-to-middle income country level experience engaging with different stakeholders – persons with lived experience of mental health conditions, governments, civil society, donors etc.

• Experience of representing your organisation at key global, regional or national political gatherings

Skills:

• Project management and reporting.

• Networking and relationship management

• Ability to perform research and report writing 

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.

• Grant Proposal Writing. 

• Ability to work as part of a team but equally a self-starter capable of devising and delivering work under your own direction

• Experienced in and thrive working in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing agendas

• Strong organisational skills to plan, meet deadlines and successfully deliver events 

• Ability to multitask and prioritise workload over short time frames

• Knowledge of foreign languages is desired but not mandatory.

• A good knowledge of Microsoft Office and other project management tools e.g., Trello, Google Suite, among others.

Qualifications:

• A degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. health, law, human rights) 

• Ability to work remotely and travel internationally

Benefits

• 28 days of holiday a year plus national holidays in your country of residency 

• Possibility of being hired by Deel as a local employee (with local pension and social security benefits) or as a contractor (decision up to the employee based on personal preference)

• Up to £1000 a year of allowance for coworking space

• Up to £500 a year in personal development training allowance

• A minimum of 1 in-person team retreat a year

• Possibility to work from anywhere in the world (where you have the legal right to work)

• Possibility to work compressed hours 

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme via HealthAssured

• [For UK-based staff] You contribute 5% of your salary and we pay for 3% (8% total)

Diversity and inclusion
Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to UnitedGMH’s core mission and values, and the organisation is dedicated to promoting this across our work and also within the workplace. We will ensure that this commitment is embedded in all operational aspects of the organisation and also implemented within our day-to-day working practices.

Reasonable adjustments statement
We aim to ensure that all applicants are provided with the same opportunities during the recruitment process. Should you have a disability and require a particular adjustment to be made to allow you to fully participate in the recruitment process, please ensure that this is made known to the person arranging your interview.

Interviews: There will be 2 interview rounds, and a short task for those who progress to the second round of interviews. Interviews will be arranged between the last week of November to the 12th of December.

Closing date: 9am on Monday 24th November

Application: To apply please submit your CV and a cover letter (800 words maximum) via Charity Job.

About us

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF) is a UK-wide charity that exists to prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation. We’re here for everyone who needs us. We protect children by working with people who pose a risk and diverting them from causing harm. We support individuals and families who have been affected by abuse. And we help professionals who work with families to create safer environments for children through delivering risk assessments, interventions, training and consultancy.

About the role and you

We are recruiting for a Policy Officer within the Advocacy and Communications Team. You will report to the Director of Advocacy and Communications and work closely with all others in the team.

The purpose of this role is to strengthen LFF’s policy and advocacy efforts. You will be crucial in helping to develop strategic engagement, influence change and strengthen LFF’s impact on public policy, and in doing so, make a significant contribution to the prevention of child sexual abuse.

Bringing together your knowledge and experience engaging with various stakeholders, you will effect change by identifying opportunities to influence decision-making, analyse data to develop policy positions for the organisation, contribute to consultation submissions and provide advice on various policy matters.

Advocacy is one of three guiding principles in our 2025-2030 organisational strategy. It underpins all of our work – we advocate for a greater focus on preventing abuse before it happens, not just within the halls of parliament but through all aspects of our work from frontline practice to influencing national policy.

This role sits within the wider Advocacy and Communications Team which supports the promotion of all areas of our work across various channels: websites, social media, press and PR, marketing and digital advertising. Working with the wider team, we are striving to better showcase our advocacy work both internally and externally.

Our ideal candidate will have a strong track record of policy development, an understanding of the UK legislative process and a commitment to our mission to prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation.

For a more detailed job description, please request a job pack.

What you’ll get from us

We offer the following benefits:

• Hybrid working (with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week; we ask for 3 days in the office per week for the first month)
• NEST pension
• 33 days’ annual leave rising to 38 days (inclusive of statutory bank holidays following qualifying period)
• Up to 5 days’ learning and development per year
• Flu jabs & eye tests
• Season ticket loans
• Charity discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Option of private healthcare with Benenden

How to apply

We really welcome informal conversations with prospective candidates about the role and the charity in advance of the deadline.

To apply, please download the job pack and return your completed documents by Monday 24th November. Stage 1 interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 3rd December and stage 2 interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 10th December for shortlisted candidates.

If you have not been contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date you have been unsuccessful with your application. Please note the successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check for this position.

#policy #advocacy #communications #engagement

Join an amazing charity that makes a difference for the 110,000 adults and children in the UK with a muscle-wasting condition. This is a role where you can really make a difference.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience of conditions we represent. We believe that diversity strengthens our work and helps us better support our beneficiaries.

This is an exciting time to join Muscular Dystrophy UK. We recently launched our new 10 year strategy to transform the lives of people living with muscle wasting conditions. Our vision is clear, a world without limits for people with 
muscle wasting conditions, and we won’t stop until we achieve it.

Main purpose of role:
This is a unique opportunity to lead Muscular Dystrophy UK’s policy work to improve access to treatment and shape life science policy for people living with muscle wasting conditions.

With exciting progress in treatment development but challenges with NHS system readiness, you’ll be at the forefront of efforts to ensure everyone in the UK can access the best available therapies—quickly and equitably. 

You’ll build strong relationships with governments, regulators, charities, and industry, lead our technology appraisal work, and grow our influence in life sciences policy, particularly around clinical trials and the implementation of the UK Life Sciences plan, drawing on Muscular Dystrophy UK’s rich history in medical research.

Working collaboratively across teams—including Policy and Campaigns, Research, Marketing and Communications, and our devolved nation leads in Services and Support—you’ll help deliver key strategic objectives. 

Reporting to the Director of Policy and Campaigns and working within a matrix structure with the Director of Research and Innovation, you’ll play a vital role in driving change and improving lives.

Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We also offer a range of benefits including pension, life assurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, financial wellbeing and an employee assistance programme.

Cover Letter Guidance for Applicants
When submitting your application, please ensure your cover letter provides clear evidence of the following:
• Experience in research, policy, public affairs, or a closely related field
• Proven ability to influence government, decision makers, or public policy — ideally within the health, life sciences, or disability sectors
• Strong understanding of NHS structures, regulatory frameworks, and health technology assessment (HTA) policies and processes
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences
•  Robust research and analytical skills, including the ability to gather, interpret, and present information persuasively

Your cover letter should demonstrate how your background aligns with these criteria, using specific examples where possible

Location: Head Office, London, SE1 (with flexibility for homeworking with regular travel to Westminster)
Closing date: Sunday 23rd November 
Interview dates Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd December 2025

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities​

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

What you’ll do:

• Lead Marie Curie’s policy agenda on financial security at the end of life.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions and campaigns that influence government and shape public debate.
• Build relationships with MPs, government officials, think tanks, charities and researchers to deliver meaningful change.
• Use research and lived experience to strengthen policy and advocacy work.
• Act as a Marie Curie spokesperson, representing our mission across Parliament, the media and public forums.
• Work closely with colleagues across Research, Communications and Caring Services to turn insight into impact.

What you’ll bring:

• Strong experience in policy development, campaigning or public affairs — ideally within social, health or economic policy.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking, analytical ability, and a passion for social justice.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.

Please see the full job description

Application & Interview Process

As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.

Close date for applications: Sunday 30th November 2025

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000

Contract: 35 hours per week, permanent role

Based: Homebased (with the ability to attend meetings in Marie Curie’s office in London at least once a month).

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We're happy to accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments. Please email any requests to [email protected]

Independent Age is the national charity focused on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life. We believe no one should face financial hardship in later life. 

Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free, practical support to older people without enough money to live on. Through our grants programme, we support hundreds of local organisations working with older people across the UK.  

We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change.

We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

As Policy Officer you'll use your expertise to influence change on key areas, including housing, household costs and income. You'll investigate complex policy areas and translate these into engaging and accessible content for reports and briefings to build a compelling evidence base to directly impact national policy. You will conduct vital qualitative and quantitative research, ensuring our policy positions are robust and informed by real-life experiences, speaking directly to older people in financial hardship. You will also have opportunities to work with a range of external stakeholders to develop and advocate for our key policy calls. 

You will have experience of conducting research and producing high-quality written analysis, with excellent written and verbal skills to effectively tailor information for different audiences. You will be able to apply your existing understanding of public policy, policymaking processes and advocacy to create positive change. You'll need experience of building strong working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders. Above all, you will have a genuine passion for our cause!

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 28 hours per week. It is a fixed term contract for up to 12 months. 

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working. 

You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting our Careers page. 

Application Process:

To apply, please visit our website and submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Person Specification (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name. 

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A Basic DBS will be required for this role.

Closing Date: Sunday 16th November 11:59pm

Planned Interview Dates: Wednesday 26th – Thursday 27th November

We’re looking for a Research Funding Officer to join our team

Salary: £34,754

Base: Central Edinburgh/hybrid

Hours: Full time and permanent.  35 hours a week over core working hours of 10am – 3pm, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour lunch break. The office is open 8am – 7pm daily and our hybrid working policy requires all full-time employees to work at least two days a week in the Edinburgh office. 

Benefits: 10% employer pension contribution; private medical insurance; employee assistance programme and counselling service; enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay; enhanced sick pay; 31 days’ paid holiday/year plus four paid winter public holidays; 2-weeks fully remote working/year; three paid carer days/year; death in service benefit; cycle to work and travel season ticket schemes.

To support the Team’s work-life balance, we work a nine-day fortnight where the charity is closed every second Friday.  

About the role and what we’re looking for

What will you be doing?

· Supporting applicants from all over the world to bring us their new ideas in cancer research by providing guidance in a timely manner. You’ll receive and process discovery cancer research funding applications, ensuring validity and completeness.  

· Leading on the expert peer review process. You’ll identify appropriate expert reviewers to ensure that the charity receives high quality, independent review advice to inform funding decisions.

· Managing funded grants. You’ll build relationships with grantholders and process change requests to best serve the science of our funded awards.

· Working with partner organisations.  You’ll collaborate with our research partners to manage co-funded projects as well as providing funding information for internal and external purposes. 

· Demonstrating our values. As a Curestarter, you’ll demonstrate our values every day - curious, united, real, entrepreneurial and spirited – as you help bring about our vision that no life is cut short by cancer.

What are we looking for?

· With a higher degree in a biomedical related field, you have excellent scientific understanding of molecular and cell biology as well as a broad knowledge of cancer research.

· You have a good understanding of research funding processes, particularly peer review and conflicts of interest.

· You’re a collaborative person who works respectfully in a diverse team of experts to deliver work that makes an impact.

· As a detailed planner and organiser, you thrive on deadlines and feel confident prioritising your time across multiple, concurrent projects.

Who are we? 

At Worldwide Cancer Research, we start new cures. Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but cutting-edge science can give us hope. Discovery research seeks to uncover new knowledge that could change the way we think about cancer. It reveals new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer that can save lives.

We actively seek unconventional and imaginative ideas from scientists at all stages of their career, across the globe. In some cases, we are the only organisation that will fund a scientist’s idea. We take an unbiased approach to research funding by focusing on supporting only the best ideas for new cures. By having a diverse research portfolio, we increase our chances of finding breakthroughs.

Our vision is of a day when no life is cut short by cancer, and we believe we can achieve this by starting the life-saving advances of the future by sowing the seeds of discoveries. Anyone that helps bring forward breakthroughs – including our staff, our supporters, and the researchers we fund – is a Curestarter.

As a charity, we are committed to opportunity without barriers, and we are striving to seek, value and learn from different perspectives and experiences. We want Worldwide Cancer Research to be an inclusive organisation – where everyone can be themselves and feel valued – as diverse as the scientific community we fund and the families whose lives we impact.

We are committed to ensuring that we provide equal opportunities to every applicant regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We aim to ensure that our recruitment process is unbiased and that everyone is treated equitably because our team members are at the heart of everything we do to start new cancer cures around the world.

To help start new cancer cures and save lives, we are looking for a Research Funding Officer to join the busy Research team at Worldwide Cancer Research, to help the charity run its multi-million-pound funding programme for discovery cancer research.

Travel: Occasional travel to Arthritis UK 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’re looking for a Policy Officer who will make a difference to health and social care policy for people with arthritis.  

Within the Chief Executive’s Office, the UK Advocacy and Health Intelligence Department are focused on creating lasting change. We identify creative policy solutions in response to the challenges people with arthritis face. We influence decision-makers through stakeholder engagement, public affairs activity and by campaigning alongside people with arthritis. We have expertise across health and care services, public health, and employment policy. We also work in collaboration to influence medical research and data policy and play an active role in several cross-sector groups.  

About the role
The purpose of this role is to drive policy development across our policy priority areas. The Policy Officer will lead on specific policy projects, commissioning research, developing policy positions, and producing reports and consultation responses.  

This role will cover a broad range of issues across one of our strategic goals – prevention and diagnosis; access to treatment; and living well with arthritis. Our approach considers the needs of people of all ages who have arthritis.               

The Policy Officer will also contribute to the wider work of the team, working closely with colleagues in the Nations Teams, the Research Directorate and the wider charity, including by representing us on cross-sector policy groups, drafting briefings, and participating in events and conferences.  

We’ll give you autonomy, variety and challenge with opportunities to work with inspirational campaigners, attend events in Parliament and meet senior stakeholders in Government. We’re a supportive team who will value your well-being and professional development.  

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

• Understanding of policy issues relevant to people with long-term conditions or disability.  
• Experience of working in a policy team.  
• Experience of developing and influencing health and social care policy.  
• An ability to think creatively and communicate effectively.  
• An enthusiastic, adaptive and flexible approach.  

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 in, 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 Arthritis UK where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers. 

Interview
Interview date to be confirmed.

As a Disability Confident Leader, 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.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking a collaborative and organised Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN) Coordinator to play a pivotal role in the growth and coordination of a borough-wide partnership driving change in how research is designed and delivered. 

This is an exciting opportunity to support a dynamic, cross-sector network that connects community organisations, researchers, and public institutions to ensure that research in Lambeth is fairer, more inclusive, and community-led. 

You’ll help coordinate the network’s programme of events and projects, strengthen member engagement, and lead on communications that celebrate and share learning. Working within High Trees’ Research and Impact team, you’ll ensure the LCRN continues to thrive as a collaborative and well-connected space that champions community voice and knowledge. 

If you’re a strong communicator with excellent organisational skills and a passion for community-led research, partnership working, and social impact –  we’d love to hear from you. 

About High Trees 

High Trees Community Development Trust has been rooted in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, for over 27 years. We deliver services in education and training, employment, youth and family work, community action, and research and capacity building, working alongside local people and organisations to create meaningful change. 

We are recognised for our collaborative and place-based approach, our long-term partnerships, and our commitment to equity, participation, and community leadership. 

At High Trees, you’ll join a supportive, values-driven organisation that places community at the heart of decision-making. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to innovative and meaningful work that strengthens the influence of communities in shaping research, policy, and practice across Lambeth and beyond. 

About the Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN) 

The Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN), hosted and led by High Trees, brings together community organisations, research institutions, funders and public bodies to create a more equitable research ecosystem. 

The network aims to rebalance power in research, ensuring that communities – particularly those often underrepresented –  have genuine ownership and influence over how research is designed, delivered and used. 

Through collaboration, learning, and shared accountability, LCRN members are shaping a model for community-led research that leads to stronger insights, better decisions and more equitable outcomes for Lambeth residents.

Our client, a well-known anti-poverty charity is looking to recruit a Director of Policy & Engagement on a maternity contract of up to 12 months. This great charity provides front-line advice, advocacy and campaigning and policy work on behalf of people in London beneath pension age, who are experiencing issues around benefit payments, disability and housing or who are at risk of homelessness. The services they provide have become even more essential during the current cost of living crisis.

The role:
As Director of Policy & Engagement, you will lead the organisation’s policy, public affairs, and campaigns function, shaping and delivering local and national influencing to drive change on social security and housing issues. You will ensure the voices of people with lived experience are central to all of the organisation’s work, embedding meaningful participation across the organisation, in governance, services, policy and campaigns.

You will also oversee strategic external communications to support the organisation’s influencing, brand and fundraising objectives and will direct all fundraising for your department including managing funder relationships, identifying opportunities and leading on bid writing and reporting.
 
This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for influencing policy and practice locally and nationally and representing the charity as a spokesperson in the media, with government ministers, MPs, and other senior stakeholders. 
 
You will manage a small multidisciplinary team of four, ensuring integrated effective delivery across the organisation. 
 
The role will cover strategic leadership, policy, public affairs & campaigns, stakeholder & media engagement, external communications, embedding participation, fundraising leadership, team leadership and cross-organisational Integration.

The person:
The successful candidate will be a strategic, politically astute leader with experience of leading policy, public affairs and campaigns at a senior level. They will have experience of integrating research campaigns, participation, external communications and fundraising to deliver impact locally and nationally. They will have excellent media stakeholder and political engagement skills, with experience of acting as a spokesperson for an organisation. This person will value and embed lived experience in all aspects of their work and will have a strong understanding of social security and housing policy. 

This person will also have substantial experience of leading on research for social policy influencing purposes in addition to having developed and shaped policy  for an organisation in a charity which works towards combatting poverty and other social justice issues. Having managed political and media engagement and external influencing activities in the past, this person will be an effective relationship manager both internally and externally, in addition to having provided knowledge based leadership to small teams in the charity sector. In addition to being a highly effective project manager, this person will be a very strong communicator both verbally and in writing, and will be fully committed to the aims and objectives of this anti-poverty charity.
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This organisation is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of poverty, from global majority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and disabled people are strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome evidence of experience from both work and non-work settings such as volunteering and personal life. 
 

This is a key role in fulfilling CEASE’s aim to drive legislative reform that strengthens accountability, scrutiny and regulation of all parts of the commercial sex industry and other vested commercial interests, which are driving sexual violence, abuse and exploitation. It is about holding the UK government accountable in its duty to protect citizens from high-harm industries, appealing to robust evidence, survivor testimony and a careful critical analysis of the ideological justifications that uphold it. 

The work crosses multiple different areas, from policing, online safety and child protection to violence against women and girls (VAWG). It involves close collaboration with experts and partner organisations through strategic partnerships and coalitions, and the building of trusted relationships with MPs, Peers, civil servants and other decision-makers.

This role sits within the Activism strand of CEASE’s strategy, alongside media outreach and commercial advocacy, and works closely with the Chief Executive and Strategic Director 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

A. Strategic Leadership

• Work closely and effectively with the Chief Executive, Strategic Director and Trustees to advise on priorities and opportunities within this space.

• Develop both short- and long-term political strategies to engage key stakeholders with CEASE’s policy solutions.

• Identify and formulate strategies for gathering robust evidence on key issues where needed.

• Shape policy recommendations in line with CEASE’s strategic priorities and emerging trends.

• Ensure all external engagement reflects CEASE’s values and core messaging.

• Contribute political intelligence and insight to CEASE’s wider strategic planning and organisational development.

B. Policy

Goal: To ensure CEASE’s policy recommendations are robust, evidence-based, survivor-informed and coherent.

• Gather and present evidence on commercial and cultural drivers of sexual abuse and exploitation, and on systemic failures in regulation and enforcement.

• Identify evidence gaps and devise effective means for CEASE or partners within our networks to fill them.

• Produce policy briefings and consultation responses for parliamentarians and civil servants, often in collaboration with allies.

• Monitor parliamentary business in Westminster, analysing legislation and proposing amendments grounded in evidence and framed for maximum impact.

• Develop CEASE’s positions on new and emerging issues and technologies in line with our mission.

• Prepare speeches and statements for the Chief Executive or Strategic Director to deliver to parliamentarians, committees and inquiries.

• Integrate survivor insight and lived experience into policy and advocacy materials wherever appropriate.

• Analyse, distil and present research findings to provide credible, compelling evidence for policymakers and stakeholders.

• Track engagement outcomes and evaluate the impact of CEASE’s policy work, sharing learning internally.

C. Public Affairs

Goal: To ensure CEASE’s policy recommendations are seen, heard and acted upon.

• Create opportunities to promote CEASE’s policy solutions in Westminster through roundtables, drop-ins and parliamentary events.

• Engage directly with decision-makers, building trusted relationships across parties and with key officials.

• Identify and support parliamentarians who can champion CEASE’s issues through speeches, strategic questions, debate briefings and Private Members’ Bills.

• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, Peers, civil servants and officials in relevant government departments (Home Office, DCMS, DfE, etc.); participate in select committees and APPGs.

• Monitor the political landscape to identify alignment between CEASE’s goals and current government priorities, debates and legislative timetables.

• Collaborate with colleagues to nurture relationships with key stakeholders such as charities, public bodies, academic institutions, industry figures and experts.

• Lead or contribute to policy-focused coalitions and alliances aimed at influencing government and legislative reform.

• Support wider campaigns that leverage coalition backing (e.g. petitions, iParls or media initiatives), aligning messaging across CEASE’s team to amplify impact.

• Track and evaluate the reach and influence of CEASE’s public affairs activities to inform ongoing strategy.

D. Research

• Maintain awareness of political and legal developments in other countries and international bodies such as the UN.

• Commission or collaborate on research that strengthens CEASE’s evidence base and credibility.

• Distil complex research and policy information into accessible formats for internal and external audiences, in collaboration with the Chief Executive and Strategic Director.

• Work with the wider CEASE team to “demystify” the political process and support civic and grassroots engagement.

E. Fundraising

• Identify potential donors and funding opportunities through policy networks.

• Contribute to the development of compelling funding cases linked to CEASE’s policy impact and advocacy outcomes.

General Responsibilities

• Represent CEASE externally to promote its work and values.

• Uphold CEASE’s ethical and professional standards at all times.

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Chief Executive.

Please see Job Description for full details.

Policy and Data Insight Assistant
Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

We offer hybrid working and we are committed to paying the Real Living Wage.

About Us

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.

The Benefits

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Policy and Data Insight Assistant, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.

To find out more about our values and how important they are to us, please visit our website.

The Role

As Policy and Data Insight Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the Cancer Insight Team to develop policy papers and present data on cancer in Yorkshire. You will also provide administrative support across the team to help others deliver a variety of workstreams.

You will perform a range of tasks to support the Cancer Insight Team's goals. This involves informing internal employees, supporters, and the public about the charity’s stance on multiple cancer-related topics. Additionally, you will assist with collecting and sharing data and evidence related to cancer in Yorkshire, crucial for understanding regional needs and shaping the charity’s objectives.

Specifically, you will:

Policy

• Support the Policy Officer to conduct literature reviews and research for policy development and updates.
• Monitor political announcements, health and research policy activity and cancer-related news at a national and regional level to inform the policy workstream.
• Assist with the drafting of consultation responses, policy reports, background resources and ensuring that the correct messages are conveyed in every external-facing communication.

Data

• Support the Data and Impact Officer in the maintenance of a portfolio of regularly updated external data, facts, statistics and evidence relevant to cancer in Yorkshire.
• Support the preparation of reports on various cancer related topics for external and internal audiences, including assisting with the regularly updated factsheets.
• Assist in the preparation of data requests from across the charity - these will largely be to support the Research, Policy & Impact, and Brand & Relationships teams, and could include data and information for press releases, social media, presentations and planning of future work and priority areas.

General

• Handle regular liaison between internal teams e.g. policy development for external dissemination.
• Support Cancer Insight Team members in monitoring and updating timeframes across various projects to ensure outputs are on track to be delivered on time.
• Undertake regular administrative, research and analysis tasks as required for the wider Cancer Insight Team such as across the Public Affairs and Patient & Public Involvement workstreams.
• Provide administrative support in organising meetings and events, as well as taking minutes at internal and external meetings and ensuring tracking of action points.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will need:

· Previous experience in a relevant subject area, for example public health, public policy or similar fields.

· Experience of conducting literature reviews.

· Experience of researching a wide variety of topics and organisations and writing evidence-based documents e.g. summary reports, briefings or consultation responses.

· Experience of analysing and presenting complex data and information, tailored to different audiences.

· Experience of organising meetings and supporting the organisation/administration of small events.

· An understanding the healthcare system in the UK and the current health policy landscape.

· A passion for policy, data and influencing in order to deliver impactful change.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to interpret and analyse health datasets.

· Ability to communicate findings from health data to a wide range of audiences.

· Ability to extract key information from journal articles concerning health and policy.

· Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.

· Excellent organisation and time management, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.

· High level of attention to detail and accuracy.

· Competency with Office 365.

· A willingness to complete our pre-employment checks (to be undertaken once the role is offered and accepted) which include:

o A check on your employment history by seeking two references

o A check on your eligibility to work in the UK as per the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006

· A DBS check at basic level. 

Application

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, before 21 November 2025. Please read our privacy notice before applying.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact the People Team.

About us

The Runnymede Trust is the UK’s leading race equality think tank. We generate research to challenge racial inequality in Britain.

For more than 50 years, we have worked tirelessly to build a Britain in which we all belong. Proudly independent, we speak truth to power on race and racism without fear or favour. We are not swayed by political agenda, profit or popular opinion. We are authentic, led by an ethnically diverse team, and we draw from our lived experience and that of our wide and inclusive community and partnership networks.

The Role

We are seeking a talented and motivated Researcher to join our growing team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-impact research that shapes public understanding and policy on race and inequalities in the UK.

You will lead and support a range of research projects from inception to delivery, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to generate rigorous, accessible and influential outputs. Working closely with colleagues across research, policy and communications, as well as external partners and funders, you will play a key role in ensuring that Runnymede’s work remains at the forefront of the national conversation on race and social justice.

This position is ideal for someone with strong analytical and project management skills, a deep curiosity about racial and social inequalities, and a passion for producing evidence that drives systemic change.

Who we’re looking for

You’ll be the right person for this role if you’re passionate about using research to tackle racial and social inequalities. You will bring experience in both qualitative and quantitative research, strong project coordination skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and accessibly.

You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift and collaboration is key. With an eye for detail and a commitment to quality, you’ll ensure that every piece of research you deliver is robust, ethical, and impactful.

If you’re ready to contribute to research that informs and inspires action towards racial justice, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply

To apply please click the apply button below. 

This will take you to our online recruitment platform, BeApplied, which is a platform that aims to facilitate an unbiased and inclusive hiring process.

On BeApplied you will be asked to upload your CV and answer some skill-based application questions instead of a traditional covering letter.

Runnymede Trust is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are  under-represented in research and policy making and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people; people with disabilities; people who identify as being LGTBQIA; people who have a mental health condition; and people who identify as working class now or in the past.

We are also aware that many highly capable prospective candidates nonetheless rule themselves out of work in think tanks because they underestimate their own ability to do the role. With this in mind, we strongly encourage applications from anyone who is prepared to learn and grow on the job and would like to stress that past experience of working in think tanks is not required.

Interview Schedule

Candidates will hear back about their application status on 26th November, and interviews for shortlisted candidates will be conducted on 2nd and 4th December.