Proposal and bid manager jobs in Edinburgh

Against Malaria Foundation (AMF)

Junior Operations Manager

Full time

Job Description

AMF profile

Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) was founded in 2004 and is a charity that fights malaria in a highly effective, accountable and transparent way.

We do this by purchasing and distributing multiple millions of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) at a time in nationwide universal coverage campaigns. This is the most cost-effective way of preventing malaria. AMF receives donations from the public and in the last financial year received US$147 million and, in our history, now over US$780 million. AMF is particularly data-focused and monitors and reports on net use and drives and supports innovation to improve the effectiveness of malaria programmes.

AMF is the world’s third largest funder of nets.

AMF has been rated a top charity for all of the last 16 years by independent charity evaluators GiveWell, Giving What We Can and The Life You Can Save who focus on impact and cost-effectiveness.

We are a team of 15 highly motivated individuals with different skills and experience. Each person has an important role to play. All team members work remotely with constant communication between them. While the team is small, the impact is big - our net distributions protect millions of people. Our largest programme is in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where we are funding 52 million nets to protect 94 million people for distribution during 2025 to 2027. We have ongoing multi-million net programmes in other countries including Chad, Guinea, Nigeria, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda and Zambia.

Role Description

Our activities and commitments are steadily increasing, with 2026 a particularly busy year with over 60 million nets planned for distribution to protect more than 110 million people, and the next few years will be similarly busy. In light of this, AMF is recruiting a Junior Operations Manager to join the operations team and to play an important role in ensuring the success of the net distributions. We are looking for someone with strong quantitative and analytical skills who enjoys working with data. The ideal candidate will be a fast learner with scientific or numbers-oriented mindset, comfortable performing quick, high-quality analyses and communicating findings clearly.

The role will include involvement in all stages of a distribution campaign (pre-agreement, net procurement, post-agreement, during distribution, and post distribution) with a focus on two areas:

1. Data analysis - reviewing and analysing distribution, monitoring and malaria data to support decision-making
2. Operational work to support programmes, in particular across independent monitoring, net accounting and keeping internal systems up to date

Further information

Across the life of each distribution, AMF collects large amounts of data: household registration and distribution data, net transportation information, data from independent monitoring partners both during distributions and after distributions through post-distribution monitoring surveys conducted at 0, 9, 18, and 27 months. We also receive and analyse external data including population estimates and malaria burden data. These data are central to how AMF operates - it informs operational decisions, ensures we can track every net accountably from manufacturing site to household, and it also enables us to report to donors with confidence on where their nets went.

We are looking for a junior operations manager to support in two main areas:

1. Data analysis

This includes:

• Analysing distribution and independent monitoring data to:
  • Ensure data is sufficiently high quality
  • Work with monitoring partners to take quick action if operational adjustments are needed
• Working with the team to build systems enabling process automation such as data quality monitoring
• Providing ad-hoc analyses to support data driven operational decisions
• Maintaining an overview of results across countries to inform benchmarks and interpret new data
• Contributing to how we present and communicate our data, both internally and publicly. This includes summarising findings clearly and appropriately for different audiences.

2. Operational work to support programmes

This includes supporting the operations team through the stages of AMF’s programmes:

Independent monitoring

Tendering and contracting

• Sending documentation to bidding partners and receiving proposals
• Supporting budget comparisons and proposal review
• Drafting agreement documents and processing payments

Project management

• Supporting operations team and partners during data collection, drawing on the data analysis above to troubleshoot issues as they arise

Closeout

• Ensuring all reporting has been delivered (narrative and financial)
• Reviewing reporting, analysing final results and putting them in context of AMF's wider programme
• Analysing project spend against budget, proposing closeout payments and processing them

Net accounting

• Reviewing evidence of net deliveries and arrivals from in-country partners
• Checking nets were sent to locations in the quantities agreed
• Working with ops team members to flag discrepancies and support communications with partners
• After distribution, verifying and documenting nets distributed, leftover, lost or damaged Internal systems
• Keeping AMF's internal systems up to date
• Inputting and processing payments
• Ensuring distribution and project dates are up to date
• Updating the latest status for the nets for each distribution (in production, en-route to country, etc.)

There will be other significant work related to AMF Group Operations, dependent on the candidate’s skill set, such as assisting with documentation for tax deductibility, new AMF entities, and updating our website with blogposts.

Characteristics of the successful candidate

We are looking for someone who has strong intellectual and analytical skills, is a fast learner and who relishes the opportunity to develop their abilities. They will work collaboratively, building strong relationships with the AMF team and in-country partners. The ideal candidate will be motivated to help improve the lives of those affected by the wider impacts of malaria.

Required

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills with the ability to work with large datasets, identify patterns, and present findings succinctly. Comfort with statistical concepts (e.g. sampling, variability, precision)
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build and maintain strong working relationships
• Highly confident in Excel
  • Experience with Python, R, or other programming languages for data analysis is a plus
• A self-starter who is highly organised with the ability to work independently and manage working time effectively
• Ability and willingness to learn new skills
• Comfort in dealing with and learning about financial matters, willing to examine and compare budgets in detail
• An interest in driving down malaria rates through procedure changes and the use of technology
• Fluent English

Of interest (but not required)

• French language ability
• Experience with data analysis tools beyond Excel (Python, SQL)
• Background in a quantitative field (statistics, economics, science, engineering)
• Previous experience working with survey data or monitoring & evaluation
• Comfortable experimenting with AI tools as part of their workflow

This would be an excellent first job for someone just out of university or someone moving after their first job. All candidates will be evaluated in the same way, based on the characteristics outlined above.

Other role details

Reporting to a senior member of the operations team.

Location: Remote working (all the AMF team work remotely) within UK/Europe time zones.

The cost of any co-working office space will be covered by AMF. If not a UK resident, part of the first three months may be spent in the UK working with the Operations team.

Initial salary: £28,000 to £35,000

Note the salary is based on a UK-based person and may be adjusted depending on location

Company contributed pension scheme

25 holiday days per year + bank holidays

Travel: travel to Africa is a possibility but is not expected.

This is a full-time role

AMF will contribute a high % of the cost of a laptop if the candidate does not already have a machine sufficient for the job.

Applying

Applicants should send a) a one-page cover letter explaining why they are interested in and suitable for the position, and b) their CV to operationsmanagerJOM1225 @ againstmalaria .com.

Early applications are encouraged as we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis.

Can you help us keep changing lives and breaking the cycle of reoffending for good? With demand for our work continuing to grow, we are excited to be welcoming a Fundraising Manager to join our team.

In this role you’ll work closely with our CEO and operations team to deliver our annual fundraising targets, focusing on trusts and foundations, major donor and corporate giving and the occasional fundraising event/external opportunity.

We are a small staff team with a large cohort of volunteers and we are all passionate and committed to our mission to stop reoffending and ensuring the best outcomes for the men we support.  We don’t have an office and staff are either home based or work in one of the prisons, depending on their role.  We stay connected through regular team meetings (online and in person), 1-1 line management support and ongoing training. This post would be home based but you will need to be able to travel to attend occasional meetings in London, West Midlands and Oxfordshire.

This is new role for Trailblazers, and we are looking for someone whose values align with the charities and believes in the impact of our work. You will be proactive, a good communicator, with a talent for building relationships and full of ideas.  You will be experienced in all aspects of trusts and foundations fundraising which is the main source of income for the charity.  Experience of diversifying income streams, major donor/corporate giving and creative ways of engaging new and existing donors would also be required.  You’ll have the freedom to shape and implement your own systems and processes and lead on developing a fundraising strategy, with full support from the CEO and wider team.

A rare and exciting opportunity to support the fundraising and strategic development of a wide range of Charities in the UK, as part of a friendly and supportive consulting team.

Charity Fundraising Ltd provides a comprehensive range of fundraising, strategic consultancy and evaluation services to Charities and other not-for-profit organisations. Established in 2000, our services range from grant and contract bid writing and review, to developing fundraising strategies, developing M&E frameworks and undertaking project and programme evaluations. We also offer a range of strategic support, mentoring and training. We work with lots of amazing charities, both local and national, small and large, across the UK, covering themes such as: Homelessness; addiction; youth; community; disability; mental health; minoritised groups; medical conditions; heritage; environment and more.

We are seeking an exceptional fundraiser who can offer a strong track record of driving organisational growth in the voluntary sector. Multi-year experience in two or more of the following core service areas is essential:

• Achieving major grant funding from trusts, foundations, lottery distributors, public sector agencies or similar.
• Planning and developing successful contract tender submissions.
• Planning and developing successful fundraising strategies and action plans.
• Major Donor, Legacy or Corporate fundraising strategy and delivery

The role is varied and interesting - managing a portfolio of clients and supporting them directly or strategically with their fundraising, impact evaluation and organisational development. Our consultants are all employees and we work closely together as a supportive team, sharing and developing skills and knowledge. We anticipate the appointee may not hold experience across all core areas of our services. We will enable the appointee to focus on projects that play to their strengths and experience and provide further support and training as necessary.

Based from home (must be UK resident), with ad hoc client and team meetings/socials (all travel paid), mostly within England. All IT equipment provided. Full-time or part-time (minimum 0.8 FTE - 28 hrs).

Benefits include: 24 days paid annual leave (pro rata), 5% employers pension contribution, potential cash / annual leave bonus, CPD budget and paid CPD time + lots of opportunity to learn from our experienced consultant team.

Please note that applications will only be considered where the screening questions are fully completed.

Here's what some of our team say about working for Charity Fundraising Ltd:

"I don’t think I have ever worked with such a nice bunch of people, everyone has been very welcoming, supportive and just all round lovely" 

"I really enjoy working for CF because I get to work independently with a diverse range of interesting clients, and am also part of a great, supportive team - best of all worlds!"

“Supportive and fun team; and great to learn new ideas from others fundraising skills, knowledge and expertise”

"I love being part of such a passionate, professional team and who prides itself on building close working relationships with each other and with our clients."

Senior Fundraising Manager – Trust and Philanthropy

Salary- £40,940 per annum

Location- Remote working in the UK, with regular travel to London and other parts of the UK.

Reporting to- Director of Fundraising

Contract- Full-time, permanent

Closing Date- 11th January 2026 at Midnight

Who we are?

Futures For All is the largest social mobility charity in the UK. We help to level the playing field between state and independent schools by giving all young people access to the same prestigious networks available to the top fee-paying schools. 

We believe that by inspiring young people to explore their ambitions through our speaker programme, facilitating access to multi-day experiences of the world of work, and supporting young people to successfully seize opportunities available to them, then we can make a profound difference to the lives of young people, their future happiness and prosperity. 

By 2028, our ambition is that every young person in the UK has access to high quality work experience. Yet today, less than half of young people leave secondary school having had any work experience whatsoever.

Role Summary:

Whilst Futures For All has been fundraising for all of our 15 year history, we are now at a point in which increasing voluntary income and diversifying our charitable income streams is vital to the charity’s long-term success.  The new role of Director of Fundraising took up management of the team in 2024, and is now in the process of building a bigger and brighter team to support increasing income over the next few years.

The Senior Fundraising Manager – Trust and Philanthropy will play a pivotal role in raising funds from grantmaking trusts and HNWIs (philanthropists) towards the work of Futures For All.  They will go beyond simply writing applications and reports, to build relationships with prospects and donors, ensuring that each are guided through the solicitation cycle towards maximising their grant to the charity.  They will work closely with colleagues, volunteers and leadership to ensure each prospect/donor is engaged appropriately and accurate information is provided in a timely manner.  They will also support the overall function of the Fundraising team, supporting other forms of fundraising. They will build relationships with prospects and donors, ensuring that each are guided through the solicitation cycle towards making major donations. 

Futures for All (formerly Speakers for Schools) seeks an individual with experience working with high-value supporters and strong relationship-building skills to become our new Senior Fundraising Manager – Trust and Philanthropy.  With an exceptional network of senior stakeholders and volunteers, the potential for growth in fundraising is great.

As the UK’s leading social mobility charity, we’re on a mission to help state-educated students nationwide to reach their potential by providing work experience placements and inspirational talks. 

If you’re an enthusiastic, self-motivated, team-player with experience of major donor fundraising, then this is the role for you.  You’d join the team at a time of progression, with a new, focussed plan for the organisation targeting growth in our work experience and inspirational school talks. For this to be successful, we need to grow and diversify our income, particularly from grants and gifts, and are growing the fundraising team from 3.5 to 5+ members to support this increase.

Your role as Senior Fundraising Manager will be to help identify, cultivate, ask and steward philanthropists and grantmaking trusts, working with the Director of Fundraising, Fundraising team, wider colleagues and volunteers to ensure they are solicited to the highest possible standards. The team will support you and there’ll be training on offer to help you succeed.

If you are an expert communicator and relationship-builder, you could join an ambitious, collaborative team, passionate about raising funds to increase the richness of state education and level the playing field for children across the UK.

Key Duties / Responsibilities

Strategic Purpose

• Fundraising from grantmaking trusts and foundations – build and maintain a pipeline of trust prospects and donors with potential to give £10k+ per annum.
• Fundraising from major donor individuals – building relationships with prospects and donors leading to gifts of £5k or more.
• Collaboration – working with colleagues, Ambassadors and Trustees to engage potential supporters, attend events and solicit donations.
• Proposals and reports – develop and deliver accurate and inspiring fundraising applications and reports meeting and surpassing donor and prospect expectations.

Engagement

• Stewardship – work closely with the Donor Relations Manager to ensure all trust donors are stewarded effectively.
• Collaborate with staff, volunteers and leadership – ensuring you have an expert knowledge of the work of Speakers for Schools and can communicate it passionately and accurately to prospects and donors.

Delivery

• Events – utilise and support fundraising events to create a culture of giving and fundraising within Futures For All. Working alongside the Events Co-ordinator to identify attendees and shape engagement events.
• Data and reporting – ensure information on donors is correctly recorded in Salesforce, and supporting KPI and other reports created by the Director of Fundraising.
• Other duties – supporting the work of the Fundraising team and wider organisation as required.

Education / Experience / Knowledge

Essential

Experience of making the direct asks for funds from prospective donors.

Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to cultivate and steward philanthropic relationships effectively.

Experience of compelling proposal and report writing for a grantmaking and philanthropy audience.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Enthusiastic and a self-motivated team player.

Desirable

Proven ability to raise income from grantmaking trusts, manage a portfolio of established and new trust donors, achieve targets as part of a fundraising business plan.

Experience working in a social mobility or education-focused charity.

Proven ability to engage philanthropists and senior volunteers and speakers who support these approaches.

Futures for All Values:

Passion: 

We are committed to levelling the playing field for young people across the UK, creating social mobility and tackling disadvantages.

Agility: 

We challenge our ideas of what is possible in order to better meet the needs of those we support. We are human, make mistakes, learn, evolve and adapt.

Integrity: 

We act with empathy and bring our authentic selves to work every day. We value and respect the talent, time and intentions of those we work with.

Collaboration: 

We are one team with one mission and only by working together can we deliver better outcomes for young people. We support each other unconditionally and feel motivation in shared success as well as individual progress.

Diversity: 

We know it takes people with different ideas, strengths, identities, interests, and cultural backgrounds to make our organisation succeed. We encourage constructive debate and critical friendship.

Diversity at our core

Futures for All is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating discrimination.

About You:

• Have the ability to raise income from HNWIs , manage a philanthropy portfolio of established and new donors, building strong relationships and confidently making the ask.
• Experience in creating inspiring and informative bids to grantmakers, utilising your written communication skills.
• Comfort in working with, and engaging HNWIs and business leaders who will donate and help the organisation to succeed.
• Be able to develop strong relationships with the charities senior stakeholders and staff, identifying opportunities for growth and innovative engagement.

Are you looking for a dynamic role in charity fundraising? Join housing charity, AzuKo. We need your help to build a fairer world.

AzuKo is working to end housing poverty in Bangladesh and the UK. We’re looking for an individual who is proactive, highly organised and an excellent communicator, and who is motivated to develop their skills in fundraising.

ROLE OVERVIEW

You’ll be helping AzuKo connect with current and potential donors to raise vital funds and ensure we continue supporting those in need. The role involves conducting research, bid writing, building relationships and growing our network.

DETAILS

• Role: Fundraising Officer (freelance)
• Location: Remote
• Time: 3 days (22.5 hours) per week for 6 months, with possibility of extension. We’ll always try to be flexible around your other commitments.
• Pay: £16 per hour
• Application: via AzuKo's website
• Application deadline: 5pm GMT, 23rd January 2026
• Interviews: w/c 26th January
• Start date: February

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research, identify and connect with potential funders, with a particular focus on Trusts and Foundations
• Understand donor needs and requirements
• Develop an engagement and stewardship calendar
• Support the development of proposals, and overall fundraising strategy
• Write and submit funding applications, and report to funders
• Deal with funder queries and requests
• Support volunteer fundraisers, helping them to reach their potential
• Maintain accurate, and transparent filing systems (CRM)
• Track and report on fundraising, for internal analysis
• Keep informed on the Fundraising Regulator and Code of Fundraising Practice, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Charities Act
• Contribute to AzuKo storytelling

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Research and analytical skills
• Comfortable with digital/remote working e.g. use of OneDrive, Slack
• Sales skills and willingness to make cold approaches (phone/email) to funders
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Excellent written and communication skills, able to articulate complex ideas in simple language
• Open minded with a willingness to learn
• Able to work independently, and as part of a team
• Passionate about the charity sector, and our cause

Desirable

• Experience in Trusts and Foundations fundraising, or fundraising generally
• Experience of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
• Knowledge of housing issues/poverty, international development and/or women’s rights
• Understanding of the relevant fundraising codes of practice, GDPR, the Data Protection Act and other related legislation

No candidate will meet every single requirement. If your experience looks a little different, and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

An individual passionate about the work we do, and the impact we have. While you’re with us, every ounce of effort you put in will help us improve living conditions for vulnerable communities. We expect all team members to share our values.

“Co-design is at the centre of everything AzuKo does, and this includes all their team members. Their collaborative approach is empowering and offers the opportunity to really be a part of the change, where your ideas are encouraged and celebrated.” — Charlotte, Development Officer

THE IMPACT OF THIS ROLE

We’re a growing charity. The role supports AzuKo to achieve its ambitious fundraising targets. Our work prioritises disadvantaged individuals, families and communities. Ultimately you’ll be contributing to the positive change AzuKo seeks to make in the world.

WHY WORK WITH US

It’s an opportunity to develop your skills in fundraising at an innovative and empathic charity. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of AzuKo, the charity sector, and nature of housing poverty globally.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online, via AzuKo's website.

Complete the form with your details, answer questions about your motivations for applying, relevant skills, and attach your CV. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Zoom interview.

• Application deadline: 5pm GMT, 23rd January 2026
• Interviews: w/c 26th January
• Start: February

About Edward’s Trust

Edward’s Trust is a local West Midlands charity providing support for bereaved children, young people, and parents. We have 36 years of experience and operate at the highest level, providing qualified counselling and holistic support for complex or prolonged grief. We do not set time limits and the service is completely free. We do not get Government funding; therefore, we rely on donations to keep this vital service going.

Our Values

RESPECT

We will act with integrity in all that we do, being mindful and considerate to all. We respect and remember those who have died. Respect is a constant that embraces diversity and uniqueness of experience.

HOPE

A feeling of trust in tomorrow. We embody, instill and empower a feeling of trust in tomorrow. Hope is the hand to hold. We have a vision that one day there will be a universal understanding of life-changing grief.

HOLISTIC

Complete and all encompassing. We acknowledge and respond to the needs of the whole person: mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We recognise the total experience of grief, promoting a holistic approach to bereavement care.

SUPPORT

Enabling with compassion and care. We provide responsive support that is appropriate, relevant, and meaningful to each individual. Together in safety and strength. Encouraging society to respond appropriately to people facing loss and surviving bereavement.

EXCELLENCE

Embracing professional integrity and creative innovation. We are passionate about providing exceptional services and maintaining the highest standards in all that we do. Excellence is valuing people. We are committed to driving innovation and change.

Role summary

Here at Edward’s Trust, we are excited and committed to growing our service offer and fundraising whilst working with a small but mighty team.  We have strong and realistic foundations in the trusts and grants income stream and a secure base of income from long-term committed funders. These funders enable us to reach children and adults through our specialist counselling services and projects alike, but with a huge amount of new work in development, securing new income from trusts and foundations is a high priority for us. 

This is an exciting role at Edward’s Trust that will challenge and provide excellent career development opportunities for the successful candidate. This role will deliver essential stewardship to our growing portfolio of warm trust supporters, engaging with them to provide inspirational impact reporting to secure continued funding. Our new colleague will gain exciting CV enhancing experience through working and securing new grants for some of the larger funders which is where we wish this post to focus on.

You will support Edward’s Trust to develop its presence in the trust and foundations world, by working to agreed new business targets and contributing to the creation of a high-quality pipeline of new trust and foundation opportunities.  

Key Accountabilities:

• Become an expert in Edward’s Trust current activities and future plans
• Manage a portfolio of trust supporters, providing outstanding stewardship, and ensuring relationships deliver against agreed objectives to enhance the long-term relationship.
• Prepare and deliver engaging bids and reports to share impact and inspire future support.
• Work cross-organisationally to support projects and reporting and to help shape and develop appropriate projects for funding (alongside the Head of Fundraising and Service Delivery Manager).
• Build good working relations with key staff and Trustees of established trust supporters.
• Thank supporters promptly and ensure that progress reports and updates are received by supporters as and when required.

We are open to Flexible Working Requests which can be discussed during interviews. 

This is an extraordinary opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Programmes, a pivotal role at the heart of our mission. You will lead the design, delivery, and impact of Belong’s programmes across England and Wales, ensuring they are strategic, inclusive, and evidence-based. Working closely with the CEO and senior colleagues, you will shape programme strategy, oversee complex portfolios, and drive systemic change that strengthens social cohesion nationwide.

As Director of Programmes, you will:

• Lead strategic development and delivery of Belong’s place-based programmes, ensuring alignment with our mission and values.
• Oversee programme design, implementation, evaluation, and learning to guarantee quality and measurable impact.
• Line manage a talented team of Programme Leads and Coordinators, fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
• Apply systems thinking to understand the interconnected nature of community, policy, and service ecosystems.
• Build and maintain high-level partnerships with funders, commissioners, local authorities, and community organisations.
• Represent Belong at national forums, events, and networks, championing our work and influence.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities for programme development and funding, supporting organisational growth.

This is a senior leadership position that combines strategic vision with hands-on delivery. You will play a key role in shaping Belong’s future and ensuring our programmes make a lasting difference to communities across the UK.

About You
We are seeking a visionary and experienced leader with:

• Proven experience in leading complex programme portfolios and delivering impactful initiatives.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a track record of shaping programme strategy.
• Excellent leadership and line management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Experience managing diverse stakeholders, from senior decision-makers to community partners.
• Familiarity with systems change and participatory approaches.
• Understanding of social cohesion, integration, and related social policy issues.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, able to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Highly organised, diplomatic, and politically astute, with experience in income generation and bid development.

Desirable: Experience in areas such as Prevent, PCVE, community tensions, hate crime, or tackling misinformation.

Personal qualities matter too: we’re looking for someone passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK, collaborative and inclusive in their leadership style, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Closing Date: 12 January 2026

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. We work with communities, local authorities, and national partners to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience. Through innovative place-based programmes, research, policy influence, and thought leadership, we help create stronger, kinder, and more connected communities. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses, and we are proud to champion collaboration, diversity, and evidence-led approaches.

*Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.*

Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy and Research Leadership

  • Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
  • Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
  • Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
  • Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
  • Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
  • Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
  • Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
  • Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.

• Internal Collaboration

  • Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
  • Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
  • Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
  • Line manage junior staff or associates as required.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:

• Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
• Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
• Experience in income generation or bid development.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Politically aware and intellectually curious.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and solutions-focused.
• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
• Committed to personal and professional development.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.