Policy research manager jobs in Belfast

Fantastic opportunity for a Fundraising and Grants Manager 

Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) is a well-established and respected national charity offering specialist and expert advocacy and peer support to families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse. We have an exciting opportunity to build upon and grow our fundraising success to date, in the role ofFundraising and Grants Manager. We are seeking an experienced fundraising professional, with the drive and determination to manage all aspects of our fundraising function.

AAFDA is currently funded by statutory bodies, trusts and foundations, corporates, events and individuals. Under your management, you will identify, cultivate and grow these existing and new fundraising streams.As AAFDA’s Fundraising and Grants Manager, you will be responsible for oversight and growth of voluntary and statutory funding income, including from individuals (regular and one-off gifts, major donors and legacy giving), community groups, trusts and foundations, corporates, the statutory sector (including Police and Crime Commissioners) and other benefactors. Starting from a strong foundation with multiple opportunities for growth, you will lead on the delivery of our ambitious, multi-year, multi-disciplinary fundraising strategy with an annual fundraising plan agreed with senior management.  With keen funder and customer awareness, you will regularly monitor and review both the plan and the strategy, in addition to working closely with our Finance Manager to manage diverse income streams and achieve income targets to fund AAFDA’s unique support and advocacy work with families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse.  Holding responsibility for maintaining and developing the website and building social media programmes, you will undertake an ambassadorial approach in all activity to assist our CEO and Director of Services to lead and manage the AAFDA brand and corporate identity, with a focus on generating earned income, by extending awareness of what AAFDA does and how successful we are.

This is a permanent role, subject to funding, but we will work hard (alongside you!) to secure this.

In return for joining us, we will offer you:

• 25 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays
• Excellent development and training opportunities
• Pension Scheme
• Healthcare Scheme
• Employee Assist Scheme

Application closing date: 11th September 2026 5pm 

We review applications on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this posting early if we find the right candidate, so early submission is strongly advised.

To apply please submit a supporting statement along with your CV.

Applicants will be shortlisted according to how well they meet the criteria in the person specification.  Please highlight and explain how you meet these in your supporting statement. If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants. 

We welcome applications from candidates with experience of domestic abuse.  We are also committed to diversity and strongly encourage applications from those with Black or Minoritised backgrounds.

We are not currently able to accept applications if you do not hold permission to work in the UK.

Registered charity no: 1185078

ID: 1861 Senior Website & Digital Content Manager  

Service: Digital Marketing

Salary: Grade 4 point 38: £37,867.30 pro rata (£46,703 FTE) per annum, plus £480 home-based allowance FTE per annum (£389 pro rata)

Location: Homebased

Hours: Part time, 30 hours per week

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.

Contract: Temporary 12 month contract (mat leave)

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities. 

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today. 

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Website and Digital Content Team through a crucial period. You will have the chance to manage a portfolio of websites, including Family Action’s and Relate’s, and oversee the development and creation of digital content for a range of channels. You will manage a small team and work collaboratively across the wider development and external affairs directorate to drive brand awareness and income generation.  

Main Responsibilities (for details check the job description and person specification):

· Strategically manage a portfolio of websites across two distinct brands and a number of sub identities, ensuring they meet organisational goals, user needs, and sector best practice.

· Lead on the development and creation of digital and multimedia content across Family Action and Relate brands to support key business objectives

· Lead continuous optimisation of sales and donation journeys across Family Action and Relate websites, including testing, personalisation, and conversion rate improvements.

· Oversee the development of a new Relate website as part of a wider adaptive change programme, working closely with the Website and UX Manager and other key stakeholders.

· Use sophisticated analytics, data and insight tools to test, measure and evaluate content and website performance against KPIs, drive decisions and prioritise enhancements.

· Line manage a small team including a Website and UX Manager, Digital Marketing Executive, Content Executive and two temporary Website Project Managers

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

· Extensive experience of website development and management within complex organisations

· Extensive experience of managing complex digital projects with multiple stakeholders such a website builds

· Experience of optimising website user journeys to drive a measurable increase in conversions such as sales and donations

· Ability to drive and manage content generation, working with a range of subject matter experts and within a robust governance architecture Extensive experience of using tools such as Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster to successfully plan, measure and evaluate content performance

· Experience of line management

Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers

- cycle to work scheme

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

· Click the “Apply Now” link below and fill out our digital application form

· Closing Date: Monday 31st August at 23:59. Please note, we may close the position early if we find the right candidate.

· To learn more about Family Action: Careers

Interviews will likely to take place virtually during the first week of September 2026.

For direct queries or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or flexible working requests, please email: matthew.dennis (full email address located on advert document)

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role, and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.

Role   Project Co-ordinator – AAFDA All

Organisation: AAFDA – Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse

Project: AAFDA All

Role title: Project Co-ordinator

Salary: £35,000 pro rata to £28,000

Hours: 4 days per week Location: Home-based, with travel across England as required

Reports to: Operations Manager

Contract: Fixed term subject to funding (4-year grant)

AAFDA All is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund

About AAFDA

AAFDA is a national charity providing specialist, trauma-informed advocacy, emotional support and peer support to families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse, including domestic homicide, suicide where domestic abuse was a known factor, and unexplained deaths linked to abuse. We work to raise the status of bereaved families, strengthen professional and systemic responses, and influence policy and practice so that lessons are learned and future deaths are prevented.

About AAFDA All

AAFDA All is a four-year project developed in partnership with Imkaan to create, pilot and evaluate a culturally responsive advocacy and peer support service for bereaved family members from Black and minoritised communities who have lost a loved one to fatal domestic abuse. The project aims to reduce barriers to support, build trust with communities and specialist organisations, strengthen peer connection, and ensure that lived experience shapes service development, practice and wider systems change.

Role Purpose

The Project Co-ordinator will lead the development, co-ordination and day-to-day delivery of AAFDA All, ensuring that the service is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, safe, accessible and shaped by the voices of bereaved family members from Black and minoritised communities. The postholder will work closely with AAFDA colleagues, Imkaan, the Specialist Advocate, volunteers, community partners, statutory agencies and the Service User Advisory Group to develop referral pathways, support co production, co-ordinate peer support activity, monitor outcomes and embed learning across the programme.

In return for joining us, we will offer you:

· 25 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays (Pro rata)

· Excellent development and training opportunities

· Pension Scheme

· Healthcare Scheme

· Employee Assist Scheme

Application Instructions 

To apply for this role, please submit a supporting statement along with your CV. by Closing date: 13th September 2026

Interviews will be held on 

21st, 23rd and 25th September 2026 

As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we particularly welcome applications from candidates from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds who possess the necessary trauma-informed community insights and reach, understanding and skills to build trust and deliver the project aims safely and effectively.

Applicants will be shortlisted according to how well they meet the criteria in the person specification.

Please highlight and explain how you meet these in your supporting statement. If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants.

Please note that we will not progress applications where the supporting statement does not address the criteria for the role being applied for.

Social entrepreneurs scaling their ventures face a specific set of challenges including income generation, hiring, governance, hard calls about growth and risk, all alongside scaling their social impact. We’re recruiting learning and enterprise development managers who’ve lived that journey themselves, to bring first-hand credibility and challenge directly to the entrepreneurs on our scale-up and scale-up-plus programmes.

You’ll hold ownership of SSE’s scale-up approach, shaping our learning content on strategy, profitability and the systems that hold a growing venture together – grounded in what actually works, not just what’s written down. Facilitation sits at the heart of this role. You’ll design and deliver learning programmes and group sessions for cohorts of entrepreneurs as well as leading 1-2-1 coaching and diagnostics, and delivering Action Learning Sets, SSE’s long-standing peer-coaching method (training provided).

We’re looking for people who’ve founded or led a VCSE with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more and held financial accountability such as statutory reporting to the Charity Commission and, where relevant, Companies House, reporting to a board or funders, and making hard calls about growth, income and risk.

You’ll succeed in this role if you believe in what social entrepreneurship can achieve and want to turn your experience into supporting social ventures to scale and create more impact in their communities and beyond

Lead change. Shape policy. Amplify the voices of bereaved families.

Child Bereavement UK is looking for an accomplished Head of Policy & Research to lead our evidence and policy agenda at a pivotal time for the charity.

You'll bring a strong track record of leading policy and research activity, developing influential partnerships, and translating evidence into meaningful change. With an established understanding of the policy landscape and the credibility to engage senior stakeholders across health, social care, government and the voluntary sector, you'll play a key role in shaping policy and practice for bereaved families across the UK.

You'll lead our research programme, develop evidence-based positions, build strategic partnerships, and ensure the experiences of bereaved children, young people and parents bereaved of a baby or child are reflected in policy and practice across the UK.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience and established networks in policy and research.
• Can translate complex evidence into compelling recommendations for change.
• Is an exceptional relationship-builder, communicator and strategic thinker.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for bereaved children, young people and parents.

This is a rare opportunity to shape national conversations, influence decision-makers and ensure lived experience is at the heart of policy and practice.

Please note, the role will involve regular travel to London based conferences, events and network meetings as required, plus occasional travel to team meetings in Birmingham.

Join us and help create lasting change for bereaved families across the UK.

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Research and Policy Officer 
Job Description 

About DigitalCare Hub 

Digital technology helps care services spend more time caring. It helps the people we support keep control of their lives, and of their care. Over the last few years, the need for information to be shared securely and efficiently between health and care services has become even moreapparent. But this introduces new risks – for example how information is kept safe and secure, and what happens if a digital system fails. 

This is a shared role across DigitalCare HubandtheBetter Security, Better Careprogramme which wemanage. 

Digital Care Hubis runwithsocialcare,for social care.The Digital Care Hub provides free information,guidanceand support to enable adult social care providers to make the most of digital technology – and to do it safely. 

We are an independent, not-for profit, Community Interest Company, guided by care providers, so we understand the needs and challenges facing the diverse range of organisations in our sector. 

Better Security, BetterCareis a support programme– funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and managed by Digital Care Hub -to help adult social care providers to store and share information safelyby using the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). The DSPT is a free, online self-assessment for health and care providers to evaluate and improve their data and cyber security. 

The programme is delivered by acentral team and our local support organisations across the country. Most of these support organisations arelocal care provider trade associations. We also work closely with colleagues from the NHS, ADASS, DHSC and local councils. 

About you and the role 

We're looking for an inquisitive, analytical and collaborativeResearch and Policy Officerto join our growing team. 

You'll play a key role in helping Digital Care Hub become the leading source of evidence, insight and practical guidance on digital transformation, data, AI and cybersecurity in adult social care. 

Working across our national programmes, you'll design and deliver research projects, analyse policy developments, engage with providers and partners, and translate complex issues into clear, practical resources that help the sector improve. You'll contribute to consultation responses, produce reports and briefings, support national events and webinars, and help us demonstrate the impact of our work. 

This is a varied role that combines research, policy development, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery. No two weeks will look the same—you could be facilitating a roundtable with care providers, analysing survey data, drafting a briefing for government, interviewing providers for a case study or helping develop new guidance on AI in social care. 

You'll work closely with colleagues across Digital Care Hub and our national partners, taking an entrepreneurial approach to identifying emerging issues, generating insight and turning evidence into action. You'll report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will have the opportunity to shape the development of our research and policy function as the organisation continues to grow. 

Key Responsibilities 

Research and Insight 

• Design and deliver research projects. 

• Develop surveys and analyse data. 

• Conduct interviews and focus groups. 

• Facilitate provider roundtables. 

• Review policy and academic literature. 

• Produce evidence summaries. 

• Identify emerging issues across digital health and adult social care. 

Policy Development 

• Draft policy papers and consultation responses. 

• Translate research into practical recommendations. 

• Produce briefings for government, boards and senior leaders. 

• Track developments across DHSC, NHS England, CQC and ICO. 

• Support Digital Care Hub policy positions. 

Programme Delivery 

• Support grant funded programmes. 

• Develop guidance and resources. 

• Produce webinar materials and case studies. 

• Coordinate advisory groups. 

• Support monitoring and evaluation. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build relationships with providers and representative bodies. 

• Collaborate with universities, government and sector partners. 

• Engage technology suppliers where appropriate. 

Communications 

• Write reports, briefings and newsletters. 

• Draft articles and presentations. 

• Support thought leadership. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Develop outcome measures. 

• Analyse programme impact. 

• Produce evaluation reports. 

• Identify lessons learned. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Degree or equivalent experience. 

• Experience designing research projects. 

• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills. 

• Excellent written communication. 

• Ability to explain complex subjects clearly. 

• Excellent organisational skills. 

Desirable 

• Charity experience. 

• Knowledge of digital transformation. 

• Understanding of AI and cybersecurity. 

• Experience evaluating programmes. 

• Experience working with government. 

 
Main terms and conditions 

• £36,000 per annum including pension. 

• Full timefixed term12 month fixed term contract 

• Homebased,withsometravelacross England 

• 28 days annual leave plus Bank holidays 

Farmer-led Innovation Researcher

Location: Bristol, Edinburgh, or Home-based

Salary: £45,000 to £46,000 per annum FTE

Hours: 28 hours (0.8 FTE) or 35 hours (1 FTE) per week

Contract: Fixed term - 2 years until September 2028

Interviews will take place on the 7th September 2026

Aboutour Organisation 

The Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of human health, the environment and animal welfare.That’sbecausewe cannottackle these issues in isolation. 

We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market,and we protect forests.Wecouldn'tdo any of this without our supporters, partners,donorsand dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world whereit’sneeded the most. 

AbouttheOpportunity 

Through Innovative Farmers (IF), the Soil Association has established the UK’s leading farmer-led research programme, enabling farmers to trial practical solutions to real-world challenges while generating credible evidence that farmers can trust and use. Alongside facilitating over 170 farmer-led trials, the team has for more than a decade supported UK and EU applied research programmes supporting the implementation and upscaling of agroecology, positive animal welfare and sustainable farm woodlands management.
This new role will maximise the utilisation of existing farmer-led and applied research results and outcome data from the Soil Association, relevant partners and stakeholders and shape the future research agenda to support farmers more widely.
The role exists to build a more coherent and influential body of research evidence generated through farmer-led research, strengthens scientific rigour of farmer-led research and broadens dissemination of results to farmers, researchers and the supply chain to support the wider adoption of agroecological practices.

AboutYou 

We are looking for an experienced and passionate researcher with an excellent understanding of organic and agroecological farming principles and practices. You will have significant experience designing and delivering farmer-led or applied research projects and bring  substantial experience of working directly with farmers on research projects, using and interpreting non-academic outcome data to demonstrate trial results and wider learning.

Our Benefits

We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of serviceplus bank holidays(pro rata for part time) 

• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service 

• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce 

• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives 

• Family friendly policies and flexible working 

• Cycle to work scheme 

• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce  

Individual Giving and Legacies Manager

Fundraising & Engagement | Remote (UK-based)

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Hours: Full time (35 hours per week to be worked over 5 days)

Location: Home-based in the UK with occasional paid travel to London

Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 30 June 2029 (with potential for extension)

Join Population Matters

We are a UK charity with a global remit. Our vision is of a world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.  As we enter an exciting new phase of growth and influence, we’re looking for an experienced, proactive Individual Giving and Legacies Manager to launch and lead our public fundraising portfolio, deepen supporter relationships and help grow sustainable income.

About the Role

We’re looking for a strategic, hands-on fundraising leader who can develop and deliver our Individual Giving and Legacies programme, spanning legacies, membership, regular giving, lottery, appeals, publications, merchandise, Gift Aid, in-memory giving and supporter care. You will be able to balance planning with delivery, using data-driven insight to acquire, retain, upgrade and reactivate supporters while building a positive team culture where your team members feel valued, supported and empowered to do their best work.

Important Information

· This is a UK-based role

· Applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK

· We are unable to offer sponsorship

Apply Now

If you’re ready to play a vital role in a purpose-driven organisation and help shape a more sustainable future, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit a CV (not more than 3 pages) and answer the application questions explaining your interest in this role and how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification. A cover letter is not required. 

Closing date: Monday 24 August 2026 at 09:00 (BST)

Population Matters is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age and all other categories protected by law. Please refer to our full EDI statement attached with this advert.

If you require any adjustments to make the process more accessible, or to arrange an informal conversation about the role, please see contact details within our EDI statement attached below this advert. 

Thank you for your interest in Population Matters.

#fundraising #individual giving #individual giving and legacies manager #fundraising manager #legacies manager #fundraising #individual giving #individual giving and legacies manager #fundraising manager #legacies manager 

This role leads the development of evidence-based, equity-driven research, policy and legal interventions that advance a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

About us

Uplift supports efforts to create a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK. We urgently need to phase out oil and gas drilling to stay within safe climate limits. Yet, despite having renewable resources in abundance, the UK remains Europe’s second largest oil and gas producer. We can and must be ambitious about moving past oil and gas production, while empowering and supporting workers and communities who rely on the industry for their livelihoods. Working with everyone from policy-makers and Parliamentarians, to academics and campaigners, Uplift undertakes research, analysis and campaigning to support a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

Are you interested in improving the lives of people with a learning disability? Can you turn complex ideas into evidence-based policy? Are you a skilled communicator able to influence decision-makers? If so, we would love to hear from you!

We are currently looking for a Policy Specialist to join Mencap. This position sits within the Policy and Public Affairs teams of Mencap’s Campaigns, Advocacy and Activism Directorate (CAA). You will work closely with our influencing, information and advice, campaigning, and research work, as well as sector partners.

This is an exciting new role to deliver policy change and enhance the rights of people with a learning disability. At a key time to influence health reform, we are seeking a policy specialist to shape policy work that reflects the needs and experiences of people with a learning disability and their families. Working within the policy team, you will be responsible for developing evidence-based policy work and influencing decision-makers. 

This is a 4-day a week position (30 hours per week). We are flexible with your work location, but there may be some occasional travel needed to our London office or Westminster.

You will: 

You will bring to this role:

If you're passionate about driving meaningful change for people with a learning disability and you're ready to use your policy expertise to make a real impact, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. Applications close on Tuesday 1st September, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 7th September 2026.

• Translate complex work into clear and persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses and reports.
• Work within wider coalitions of charities, building collaborative relationships and ensuring that the needs and priorities of our community are addressed.
• Develop and expand Mencap’s ‘Policy Shapers’ work, ensuring our work reflects the health needs and experiences of people with a learning disability and their families.
• Support our information and advice team, briefing them on important developments, inputting into casework discussions relevant to your areas of work, and supporting the creation of public information resources.
• Represent Mencap at meetings and events, with MPs, civil servants, and sector partners.
• Identify and analyse relevant research to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Experience of working on health policy issues.
• Strong communication skills: experience tailoring your messaging to a variety of different audiences and representing an organisation.
• Experience building positive relationships and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes; able to positively challenge, negotiate and compromise.
• The ability to work on your own initiative while contributing to team priorities and sustain enthusiasm under pressure.
•  Experience analysing evidence to develop recommendations.
• Knowledge of the health issues facing people with a learning disability, as well as the health and wider parliamentary system. 
• Passion about making the world a better place for people with a learning disability. 

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. 

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings. 

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team! 

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. 

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in. 

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. 

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. 

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. 

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes 

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves. 

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. 

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced relationship fundraiser to join Kids and play a key role in growing our philanthropic income. If you are passionate about building meaningful donor relationships and creating lasting impact for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), we'd love to hear from you.

Philanthropy and Relationships Manager

Location: Home-based with regular travel for face-to-face meetings
Hours: 36 hours per week (flexible working arrangements can be discussed at interview)
Salary: £35,000 per annum

About the Role

We're looking for an ambitious and motivated Philanthropy and Relationships Manager to lead the development of our major donor programme. Building on recent strategic recommendations, you will develop and deliver a sustainable fundraising programme that grows support from mid-level and major donors.

Working closely with the Head of Fundraising and colleagues across the organisation, you will identify, cultivate and steward high-value supporters, creating compelling opportunities for them to invest in Kids' mission. You will play a vital role in securing significant gifts and developing long-term partnerships that help children and young people with SEND achieve their full potential.

This role offers the opportunity to shape and grow a portfolio of supporters while helping to create a culture of philanthropy across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning

• Develop and implement a measurable strategy for philanthropic growth.
• Work closely with the Head of Fundraising to strengthen and embed a culture of philanthropy across Kids.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify, cultivate and solicit major donor prospects.
• Provide guidance and support to colleagues on donor engagement and relationship management.

Relationship Management

• Build, manage and strengthen relationships with existing supporters.
• Understand donor motivations and create tailored engagement plans that inspire long-term support.
• Represent Kids at networking and cultivation events, building visibility and awareness of our work.
• Work collaboratively with service delivery teams to demonstrate the impact of donor support.

Prospect Development

• Manage and grow a mid-level giving programme.
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective donors through research, identification and outreach.
• Build and manage a portfolio of mid-level and major donor prospects.
• Work with the Events Manager to deliver engaging donor cultivation events.

Income Generation and CRM Management

• Take ownership of individual income targets and contribute to wider fundraising goals.
• Manage donor pipelines, forecasting and reporting through Donorfy CRM.
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities to maximise income growth.

Donor Communications

• Develop compelling cases for support and impact reports.
• Create personalised communications and proposals that align with donors' interests and motivations.
• Deliver a high-quality donor experience that encourages long-term engagement and investment.

About You

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Proven success in networking and relationship building that has resulted in financial support.
• Experience securing new gifts and developing new donor relationships.
• A strong track record of building and managing fundraising pipelines and supporter portfolios.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage high-value supporters.
• Experience using CRM systems and data to manage donor relationships, forecasting and reporting.
• Strong budgeting and financial forecasting skills.
• Experience researching and identifying prospective donors.
• Confidence engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, including CEOs, trustees and decision-makers.
• The initiative and resilience to build new relationships from the ground up.
• A genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.
• An understanding of the policy and influencing landscape affecting children and young people with SEND.

Why Join Kids?

At Kids, you'll be part of a dedicated team committed to creating brighter futures for disabled children, young people and their families. This is an exciting opportunity to shape a growing philanthropy programme, develop meaningful supporter relationships and secure transformational gifts that make a lasting difference.

Apply today and help us create life-changing opportunities for children and young people with SEND.

For further details about the role, responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the full Job Description attached.

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close this vacancy ahead of the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of suitable applications

Title: Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager

Duty Station: Home-based
 
Duration: 3 months with possible extension

Reporting to: Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships

Start Date: September 2026

About HelpAge

HelpAge International works with a diverse global network of around 200 organisations across 99 countries to promote the rights of older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. 

Through partnership and collaborations, we work to ensure the inclusion of older people across society and strive to deliver a just and fair world for everyone as they get older. Our work is driven by our desire to achieve real impact for older people, to be inclusive, to work in partnership and to learn from our shared experience. 

Background

HelpAge International is seeking to diversify and grow philanthropic income from trusts and foundations from the US philanthropic markets.

An initial prospect mapping exercise is currently being undertaken by an external consultant, identifying a broad range of potential trusts, foundations, and philanthropic opportunities. HelpAge aims to build on this work through a short-term assignment that combines prospect qualification with active donor outreach and engagement to assess the level of market interest and develop a robust pipeline for future cultivation.

The assignment will also support the organisation in assessing the value of different funding intelligence platforms through the use of free trial subscriptions.

Purpose of the assignment

• Build on the initial prospect research undertaken.
• Qualify and prioritise prospective trusts and foundations.
• Actively engage with prospective donors to test interest and build relationships.
• Identify funding opportunities aligned with HelpAge International's priorities.
• Develop a realistic cultivation pipeline and recommended engagement strategy.
• Assess the value of fundraising databases to support future investment decisions.

Scope of work

Prospect qualification and research

• Review and refine the existing prospect list.
• Undertake further research to assess:
  • strategic fit
  • thematic priorities
  • geographic focus
  • average grant size
  • openness to unsolicited approaches
  • existing grantees and partnership opportunities.

Prospects should be categorised according to priority and likelihood of success.

Active donor outreach and engagement

Proactively engage with selected prospects to assess donor interest and identify potential opportunities.

This includes:

• drafting and sending introductory emails
• seeking warm introductions through existing contacts and networks
• arranging exploratory meetings
• preparing briefing notes and meeting materials
• following up with prospects following meetings or discussions
• identifying opportunities for further cultivation and relationship development

Records will be maintained of:

• contacts established
• meetings held
• donor feedback
• potential next steps
• indications of interest

Pipeline development

Develop and maintain a prospect pipeline comprising:

· Tier 1 – High Priority Prospects

o Strong strategic alignment and realistic funding potential.

· Tier 2 – Medium Priority Prospects

o Promising opportunities requiring further cultivation.

· Tier 3 – Long-Term Prospects

o Strategic opportunities requiring longer-term relationship building.

For each prospect, provide:

• rationale for prioritisation
• indicative grant size
• likely programme interests
• recommended engagement strategy
• suggested next steps

Opportunity identification

Identify and circulate relevant funding opportunities including:

• trusts and foundations
• challenge funds
• philanthropic collaboratives
• donor-advised funds and intermediary mechanisms
• companies

Funding database assessment

Undertake monthly free trials of fundraising databases and assess their suitability for HelpAge International.

• Instrumentl
• Fundraisio
• Cause IQ
• FundsforNGOs Premium

For each platform assess:

• quality of information
• international coverage
• coverage of US foundations
• ease of use
• value for money
• overall suitability for HelpAge's fundraising strategy

Deliverables

By the end of the assignment:

· Prioritised prospect pipeline

Including:

• high-priority prospects
• medium-priority prospects
• longer-term opportunities

Including recommended engagement strategies and indicative funding potential.

· Donor engagement tracker

Recording:

• outreach undertaken
• meetings secured
• contacts established
• feedback received
• recommended next steps

· Opportunity tracker

Including:

• open calls
• deadlines
• funding priorities
• recommended actions

· Database assessment paper

Comparing the fundraising databases and recommending whether HelpAge should invest in any of them.

· Final Report

Providing:

· key findings

· priority prospects

· donor intelligence and feedback

· recommended cultivation approaches

· suggested next steps for the fundraising team

· recommendations for future investment in trusts and foundations fundraising

Profile and requirements

Essential

• Proven experience securing funding from trusts and foundations
• Experience of cultivating and managing donor relationships
• Knowledge of US and international philanthropy
• Strong prospect research and pipeline management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desirable

• Experience within international development or humanitarian organisations
• Existing networks within US and international philanthropy
• Knowledge of ageing, health systems, social protection or humanitarian sectors

Safeguarding, Ethics and Compliance 

HelpAge International is committed to safeguarding the communities with which we work, our partners, staff, and any others who come into contact with our work. 

The Consultant is required to: 

· Prevent harm and abuse arising from their work, conduct, or engagement with HelpAge activities;

· Report any safeguarding concerns, incidents, or suspicions promptly through HelpAge’s reporting mechanisms;

· Comply with HelpAge’s Safeguarding Policy and associated frameworks, including the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA);

· Complete any mandatory safeguarding training or briefings as required for the assignment.

In addition, the Consultant is required to adhere to HelpAge International’s key policies and standards, including but not limited to: 

· Code of Conduct

· Safeguarding Policy

· Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy

· Anti-Fraud and Bribery Policy

· Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy

· Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

· Raising a Concern (Whistleblowing) Policy

· Social Media Policy

The Consultant is expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with these policies at all times while engaged with HelpAge.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in termination of the  contract and, where appropriate, further action. 

The Communications Manager provides operational leadership for CLAPA's communications delivery, ensuring communications and marketing activity is effectively planned, prioritised and delivered in support of the charity's strategic objectives. 

Reporting to the Head of Communications and Marketing, the postholder is responsible for translating the communications strategy into coordinated day-to-day delivery. They will oversee the planning, scheduling and operational management of communications activity across the organisation, ensuring work is appropriately prioritised, resources are allocated effectively and projects are delivered to a consistently high standard. 

The role directly manages CLAPA's Communications Officers, embedding effective planning, briefing and workflow processes that enable the team to deliver proactive, creative and high-quality communications.

Acting as the primary operational lead for communications delivery, the postholder will ensure colleagues across CLAPA receive responsive, well-planned communications support while maintaining clear priorities and protecting the team's capacity to deliver its best work. 

If you think you have the talent, passion and experience to help us ensure we can always meet the needs of the community we serve, we want to hear from you.