Research Advisor Jobs
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Prospect Research Manager
We are seeking an accomplished and committed person to join us in the role of Prospect Research Manager.
Based in the University of Oxford’s Development and Alumni Engagement department, the Prospect Research Team drives the ambitious fundraising activities of the University. It does this in a number of ways, and the major focus of this role is on the team’s work in carrying out due diligence research as part of the University’s donations acceptance process.
About the role:
Reporting to the Head of Prospect Research and working alongside two other Prospect Research Managers in a wider team, the postholder will play a key role in overseeing our crucial work in this area. The role also offers the opportunity of line management responsibilities.
This is an opportunity to develop your career in the context of a busy, capable and friendly team, which also works on identifying new potential donors, and providing insights to build relationships with our supporters. We support a diverse set of fundraising priorities, on themes ranging from innovative medical and scientific advances, to widening access to our University, to supporting world-class museums.
About you:
We are looking for someone who brings substantial experience of prospect research and due diligence in a fundraising context, successful experience of supervising the work of others and of allocating resources, and the desire to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with colleagues in the team and across the wider University.
Other qualities that candidates will need include a commitment to providing a high-quality service; outstanding research and written communication skills; attention to detail; knowledge of current affairs; and an adaptable approach.
What We Offer:
As an employer, we value the wellbeing and development of all our employees. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits, including:
- 38 days annual leave (including public holidays)
- Hybrid working arrangements for a healthy work-life balance
- Extensive personal and professional development opportunities
- Membership of CASE to support your professional development as an educational advancement professional
- Supportive childcare services and other family-friendly leave schemes for working parents, guardians and those with caring responsibilities
- Generous family leave for pregnancy, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave
- Excellent contributory pension scheme for your financial future
- Salary sacrifice scheme for additional savings
- Subsidised sports centre membership to promote well-being
- Cycle loan scheme to encourage sustainable commuting
- Discounted bus and transit travel
In addition, you will have access to a vibrant community with social groups and sports clubs fostering an inclusive atmosphere.
Application process:
- Click the link to ‘Apply’ and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be taken to our online Applicant portal to apply to vacancy 171887.
- Applications should consist of a full CV and a letter of application (maximum of 2 pages), in PDF format, outlining your motivations to apply for this role, your relevant experience and how you meet the criteria of the person specification.
Only applications received before 12.00 noon on 15 April 2024 can be considered.
Interviews are currently scheduled to take place week commencing 26 April 2024, in person in Oxford.
Development and Alumni Engagement is committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are especially keen to encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are seeking an exceptional person with a legal, policy or digital rights campaigning background to work with us furthering privacy and free speech in the UK (principally, challenging facial recognition surveillance and scrutinising counter-disinformation powers) at one of the UK’s leading rights NGOs.
The right Advisor will help us to lobby UK Parliament to further privacy, free expression and data protection rights; advise on important litigation on human rights and technology; and help guide public advocacy campaigns for real change.
The contract will also cover the party conference season, where the Advisor will help position Big Brother Watch as an influential force on our key issues in a strictly cross-party manner.
The contract may require some spokesperson duties. The Advisor will help to cover an organisational capacity gap during staff sabbatical leave.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Advocating for better treatment and care for lymphoma.
Do you have a passion for effecting real change? If so, we are looking for a Public Affairs professional to join our friendly team and help us make a real impact for people affected by lymphoma.
Public and Patient Affairs Advisor
Location: Aylesbury, HP19/Hybrid with options for flexibility
Hours: Between 28 and 35 hours per week
Salary: Circa £35,000 per annum (pro-rata basis for part-time hours)
This is an exciting time to be at Lymphoma Action as we work to an ambitious plan to develop services and advocate for better treatment and care. We also want to raise the profile of lymphoma and be a voice for people affected by lymphoma so that they can influence the decisions that affect them.
We have developed a great working culture that focuses on prioritising a creative, inclusive and supportive environment. Staff receive excellent benefits including generous holiday entitlement, enhanced entitlements to sick pay and maternity/paternity/adoption leave and pay, and a life assurance scheme.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will be:
- A fantastic communicator with the ability to engage, influence, collaborate and build strong relationships;
- Analytical with the ability to gather and understand complex information about lymphoma, it’s treatment and the environment we operate in;
- Focused with great organisational skills and attention to detail to manage a varied workload;
- Passionate about representing the patient voice and about equity of access to good care and treatment.
You may have transferable skills from a different but relevant specialism or sector, from medical writing to policy, or from communications and campaigns to patient advocacy. If you believe you can learn quickly to succeed in this role, we’d love to hear from you.
Join us and be part of a national cancer charity that’s been providing information, support and connection to people affected by lymphoma for more than 35 years.
Please note that applicants need to be resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.
Closing date for applications: Monday 22 April, 12pm
Interviews will be held on Thursday 2 May
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We actively welcome applications that will help increase the diversity of our workforce, welcoming applications from those with disabilities and from minority groups and from different backgrounds and experiences.
No agencies please.
The Youth Endowment Fund
Research Lead – Underlying causes of violence
Reports to: Head of Toolkit and Synthesis
Salary: £54,000
Contract: 2 years Fixed term
Location: Central London, Hybrid*
Closing date: 9am Monday, 8th April 2024
About the Youth Endowment Fund
We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice.
In recent years violent crime has risen significantly. Homicides, assaults, robberies and offences involving weapons have all seen growth. We have also seen increases in violent crime involving children and young people. This is a tragedy. Every child captured in these numbers is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them.
The Youth Endowment Fund exists to try and permanently change things. To succeed, we must build a fantastic body of knowledge about violence affecting young people and how we reduce it. This knowledge has to be both rigorous and highly relevant to those making decisions about how to support vulnerable young people. We need to find out what works and what doesn’t through evidence synthesis, data analysis and qualitative research into children’s lives.
We also need to understand the underlying causes of violence and which children are most in need of support. This is where your role is so important.
Your key responsibilities
As the Research Lead on causes of violence, you will be an essential part of the YEF team. You will
- Lead the YEF’s research into the causes and nature of violence in England and Wales. You’ll investigate questions like:
- Why does violence happen? What seems to protect children or put them at greater risk?
- Are there particular locations or times where violence happens most often?
- Why do people desist from violence and how can we support this process?
- How can we use this information effectively and ethically?
- Make sure we invest in research that fills important gaps in knowledge and leads to important changes. This could include commissioning:
- Systematic reviews on issues like child criminal exploitation, drug markets and children’s experiences of involvement in violence.
- Detailed analysis of individual cases of violence. You’ll commission research teams to explore:
- How we can learn about the causes and contexts of violence through rich mixed methods analysis of individual cases.
- Whether we can learn generalisable lessons from a sample of cases.
- Other new primary research such as quantitative analysis of existing datasets, rich qualitative exploration of children’s experiences or working with our large number of young people trained as peer researchers (as part of the Peer Action Collective).
- You will create accessible summaries of key pieces of research. This could include:
- A systematic review (funded by YEF) of existing research.
- Key criminological insights about the nature of crime and violence.
- You’ll create useful tools and resources (similar to our Toolkit) which support decision-makers to apply insights from your work. This could include guidance to commissioners on how to understand the nature of violence in their area, the needs of local children, and
- You’ll develop great relationships with experts and represent YEF in external meetings and events. You’ll promote our research by speaking at conferences and events.
- You’ll work with our Change team to identify opportunities for our research to influence policy and practice, and bring about positive changes that will keep children safe.
- You’ll have line management responsibility for a Research Manager. You’ll ensure they contribute effectively to your portfolio of work.
About you
You are this sort of person:
- You want to play a significant part in reducing the level of violence affecting young people. You care about having an impact.
- You share our belief that an evidence-based approach is our best hope of preventing violence. You’re fascinated by research, but you’re not just interested in research for its own sake. You want to achieve actual changes in outcomes for children.
- You know a lot about research on violence, where it happens, what causes it and who does it. You know the key ideas, debates and studies. You’re comfortable talking about this research with experts. There are many ways to acquire this knowledge, including professional experience, academic research or study, and personal interest.
- You’re a confident reader of research (including systematic reviews and quantitative methods) and have strong critical appraisal skills. You know when research can be trusted and when it can’t and can confidently articulate your views on the strength of research. You might have gained this expertise through your academic studies, research or professional experience.
- You have at least three years’ experience working in a role that required you to think about research. This could include a range of roles in policy, academia, funding or practice.
- You write in a way that people easily understand. You have that rare skill of writing in plain English. You have experience of translating complex research findings into plain writing that everyone can understand.
- You have excellent project and time management skills. You can work independently, quickly and to a high standard.
- You are good with people. You’re comfortable working with a wide range of people, including senior academics and other research experts, children and their families, practitioners and policy-makers. You’re able to provide constructive challenge when required.
- You learn fast but remain humble. You like learning. You’re very good at synthesising information. You know how much you don't know and that you can always learn more.
- You work well in a team. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit. You support your colleagues to produce excellent work.
- You’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. You believe and act in a way that celebrates and encourages a range of experiences, views and values.
You may have:
- Experience of commissioning research and managing external contractors. You can scrutinise a budget to ensure it provides value for money.
- Confident public speaking skills. You’re an excellent verbal communicator. You’ve delivered dozens of talks on complex or contested topics. You’re calm and confident when answering challenging questions.
- Experience of working directly on the prevention of violence or crime. This might mean working directly with young people at risk of becoming involved in crime or working with organisations that fund or deliver relevant programmes.
- Experience of developing a research strategy. You have thought hard about gaps in the evidence base, how they can be filled and how this might influence policy and practice.
We would consider flexible arrangements to find the right candidate. This could include:
- Secondments for candidates with an established record of research on the causes of violence. This arrangement might suit an academic researcher who is looking to gain experience outside of academia but does not want to leave academia entirely.
- Flexible working alongside postgraduate study.
While it’s not a criterion, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.
It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.
Additional benefits include
£1,000 professional development budget annually, 28 days plus Bank Holidays, four half days for volunteering activities.
Hybrid working details
The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month.
To apply
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter, and complete the monitoring form click on "Apply for this" button by 9:00am Monday, 8th April 2024.
When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:
- Why are you motivated to apply for this role?
- Give clear examples where your experience directly relates to the “About You” section in the JD.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. As part of our commitment to flexible working, we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
Interview process
Interviews will take place in the week commencing the 16th of April 2024.
There will be a task to prepare for in advance.
Personal data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Every 6 minutes someone learns that they are losing their sight. Every five hours, a baby is born with sight problems. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:
• Can this be stopped?
• How do I (or my child) live this life?
The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation on 1st April 2023 will enable us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise we’ll be the only significant national funder with the efficiency, capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss.
We have a clear ambition, led by our CEO, Keith Valentine, who has valuable lived experience of sight loss. We’ve secured well-respected and highly engaged ambassadors and patrons, such as Sir John Major and Marsha De Cordova MP. We also benefit from world renowned researchers on our Research Grants Assessment Panel.
We are now looking for experienced, committed, and creative individuals to join our dynamic team as we devise and launch new five-year organisational and research strategies. You’ll have a chance to contribute to the delivery of these strategies and lead on plans for disseminating them.
Sarah Kidner, Head of Communications and External Affairs
JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
As Research Communications Lead, you will use your knowledge of the medical research field and science communication experience and expertise to create a suite of research impact communications and stories.
In addition, you will build the base for the charity to confidently talk and communicate the difference that our funded research makes to the lives of people affected by sight loss. These stories should substantiate our position as leaders in funding ground-breaking and world-class research and be used in any instance where we need to demonstrate our research impact, from fundraising materials to our brand marketing.
Working with teams across the organisation, you will act as an advisor, keeping teams up to date on the cutting-edge research we’re funding and what it could mean for people affected by sight loss conditions as well as building relationships with the research community and our partners.
Responsible to
Head of Communications and External Affairs with dotted line reporting to the Acting Head of Research. The role sits between the Marketing and Communications and Scientific Research teams and works closely with the Fundraising Directorate.
Direct reports
None
Working hours and contract
This is a 6 month fixed-term contract, 21 hours (3 days) a week.
Salary
£35,000 - £40,000 (pro-rated to £21,000 - £24,000) dependent on experience
Location
Aldgate E1 and hybrid working. Minimum two days in the office and external meetings and events as required
Start date: As soon as possible
Role Responsibilities:
Strategic Research Communications
· Support the Head of Communications and External Affairs and Research Grants team, to develop and deliver a Communications Strategy that amplifies our reach and demonstrates our impact
· Work with the communications and fundraising teams to plan, prioritise and schedule research content
· You will liaise with external research partners and colleagues, to ensure relevant information is available for use when communicating with prospects and donors.
· You will develop an in-depth understanding of the research portfolio, working with the Scientific Research Grants team, funded researchers and our funding partners.
· Communicate the vision and mission of the charity's new brand strategy to the research community with a focus on impact
Content creation
· Produce high quality content, including case studies, e-newsletters, web and other copy focused on the charity's funded research. This could include writing plain language summaries of the research we fund, describing recently published research and working with researchers to create video content to help our audience understand more about their work and to demonstrate the impact of our funding.
· Where appropriate respond to media stories that resonate with the charities vision, mission and values specifically relating to research
· Promote the impact of our funding on the career progression of academics, clinicians, and clinician scientists working in eye health
Cross-team and collaborative working
· Build a strong and collaborative relationship with the research team to support cross functional working including identifying stories that demonstrate the impact of our funding
· Build relationships with funded researchers and future funded researchers to engage them in communicating our impact
· Build relationships with the scientific communications community specifically trade and scientific press to inform them of our impact
· Promote grant funding opportunities to the scientific community encouraging quality applications from researchers across multiple disciplines
· Liaise with researchers as the key point of contact for fundraising and communications activities including PR and media opportunities, conferences and events (including webinars)
Representing the charity
· Provide authoritative and clear expert briefings to researchers and clinician researchers for media opportunities
· Support colleagues who are representing the charity at national and international conferences and events. Represent the charity at national and international events, including presenting the impact of our work.
· Be an effective ambassador for the charity at any activity you attend
· Leading the updating and development of content for the research pages of the website, ensuring that complex topics are communicated in an accessible and interesting format for people affected by eye conditions and other stakeholders.
· Develop and maintain a network of positive relationships with national, regional and academic/trade media contacts.
Person specification:
Skills, knowledge & experience
Essential
· A scientific or biomedical degree or equivalent in a science-based subject
· Demonstrable experience or passion for scientific research
· Excellent written and oral communication skills
· Ability to communication complex information simply and with passion and to flex tone of voice for the appropriate audience and tone of voice in keeping with our emerging brand identity and values and who can communicate how research contributes to vision and mission
· Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and stakeholder management
· The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team (including grants, research, communications, fundraising and others)
· Evidence of a diplomatic and confident approach to handling stakeholders through negotiation, conflict resolution and presentation capabilities
· Good IT skills with proficiency in MS Office applications
· Demonstrable experience of working in communications, media communications or public affairs
· Meeting deadlines in a busy environment
· Producing high quality content for publications, website and social media
· A flair for finding a good angle, producing sharp headlines and for transforming information into a potential news story
· Proven ability to write tight, coherent well-argued and fluent editorial copy to an excellent standard
Desirable
· Experience of working in the charity sector or within a medical research charity
· Post graduate qualification in a relevant science discipline or equivalent qualification
· A degree or qualification with a science communication component and/or experience working in science journalism
· A clear understanding of a range of research methodologies, including basic biomedical research, clinical trials and qualitative research
Personal qualities:
· An understanding of and commitment to the sight loss community
· Good relationship management skills with the ability to build, grow and maintain rapport with internal and external stakeholders
· Strong design skills to create engaging, accessible content that helps to support engage and inspire a range of audiences across a range of mediums
· A self-starter, proactive with a constructive and collaborative approach
· The ability to make the complicated seem simple; you will enjoy sharing your skills, and developing others
· Highly motivated and able to juggle a varied workload
· Personable, with excellent listening skills and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to think creatively
· An intelligent and proactive approach to problem-solving
· Excellent accuracy and attention to detail
Flexibility
·The role description is a general outline of duties and responsibilities and may be amended as the newly merged charity develops and the role grows. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.
When writing job applications, we want to see if candidates are the right fit for our charity, so they should be written using your own words. Use of Artificial Intelligence, such as Chat GPT, is considered plagiarism, and applications drafted with the assistance of AI will be automatically rejected.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you driven by the desire to make a difference? Join our Advice & Support Team at Providence Row and support those at risk of homelessness.
About us: Providence Row believes that no one should have to sleep rough and that everyone should have access to the support they need to find a safe place to call home. We work with those affected by homelessness and those vulnerably housed in Tower Hamlets, offering an integrated service of housing advice & support, access to substance use, physical & mental health services, as well as, training and progression programmes. We ensure that people often excluded from mainstream services gain the support and opportunities they need to create a safe, healthy and sustainable life.
About the role
- Delivering support to people who are experiencing homelessness and are rough sleeping in the borough of Tower Hamlets.
- Conducting person-centred assessments with those who self-present at the service for support
- Agree plans, in conjunction with service users, to move into accommodation and access specialist services which will address the underlying causes of their homelessness.
- To make referrals into Tower Hamlets and Pan-London local authority housing options services, using Homeless Reduction Act
- To work with partner agencies to provide joint support to service users where appropriate
- To build relationships with housing providers and the private rented sector, to increase the portfolio of affordable referral routes into accommodation.
- You have excellent communication skills and can create positive working relationships with a wide range of people, including external services.
- You will support the development of the service and ensure that you are delivering a solution-focussed and strength-based approach.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Generous pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Employee assistance programme
- Monthly reflective practice
- Wide range of learning & development opportunities
To apply: Please upload your CV with a covering letter, detailing how you meet the job specification. CV’s without a covering letter will not be considered.
Research shows some people, especially women and marginalised groups, may hesitate to apply unless they match all the criteria. However, we want to assure everyone that we encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of whether they fulfil every point in the job description. Your unique perspective matters to us – please apply with confidence.
Interviews
Please note that we may interview on a rolling basis and therefore encourage early applications.
Providence Row is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales; company number 07452798 registered charity number 1140192.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Senior Quality Improvement Advisor
£52,365 - £57,532 pa, plus excellent benefits
London (including flexible working)
Permanent
Here at the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, we deliver a number of national quality improvement (QI) programmes to enable the delivery of high-quality, equitable, mental health care.
We are looking to recruit a Senior Quality Improvement Advisor for our exciting new QI programme to improve the culture of care on Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism inpatient wards in England.
This is an opportunity to be part of an ambitious, high-profile programme aiming to support change to the culture of inpatient care in England, and we are looking for coaches who share our values, and who are driven improve mental health care.
Applicants should have a track record of QI coaching and some leadership experience. We are looking for people who are able to work flexibly and creatively according to the needs of the teams that they are working with.
We are looking for someone who is committed to co-production, equity and sustainability in the way that they work, as well as an enthusiasm for learning.
The College values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, reflecting the population it serves.
We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.
We will provide appropriate reasonable adjustments for candidates who may have a disability.
We only recruit the best and in return for your commitment the College offers an attractive salary and benefits.
We operate a hybrid working model of onsite and working from home/remote, which helps to ensure a flexible work life balance.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional membership body for psychiatrists and promotes excellent care for people with mental illness. It has 19,000 members and engages with government and the media as the leading voice of the UK’s mental health services. The College is a values-based organisation and, in 2019, was named Charity of the Year in the European Diversity Awards.
Closing date: 10am, 2 April 2024.
Interviews: 17 April 2024.
We require a Policy & Influencing Officer to become part of a dynamic organisation which works across Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire to influence, advocate, research and contribute to the expansion of our activities in tackling poverty, disadvantage and discrimination across the services we provide.
The postholder may have extensive experience in the field or just seeking to expand and develop on that experience. You will have good knowledge of and an interest in key aspects of social policy and inequalities. It is important that you are passionately committed to upholding and promoting human dignity, enabling the voices of those who are marginalised to be listened to and seeking to promote justice as this is what underpins everything that Caritas stands for.
You’ll be an excellent communicator, self-motivated, committed and reliable. You’ll be able to develop and produce evidence based, high quality policy briefings and research projects in support of advocacy objectives, using a range of tactics. You will need to be able to facilitate effective conversations, especially in spaces with a wide and diverse audience with different interests and priorities. The ability to understand complex information and communicate it both orally and in writing with good attention to detail is also important for this role.
We require the post holder to have the ability to work independently with strong time management, organisational and planning skills. Proficient IT skills (Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint) is essential.
We offer excellent opportunities for personal and professional development. We also offer 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays, pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, training opportunities and with flexible working options available.
If this sounds like the next step you are looking for, we would love to hear from you!
Closing date: Thursday, 11 April 2024 at 10am
Interview: Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Caritas follow Safer Recruitment practices, and this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The ability to drive whilst not essential would be helpful as this role requires you to travel around Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Caritas Diocese of Salford is an equal opportunities employer
Registered Charity Number: 1125808
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Full time – working 37.5 hours per week
Salary: From £42,000
Line managed by: Executive Director
Responsible for line managing: n/a
Location: London (hybrid, at least 2 days in London office, remote with travel considered)
About GISF CIC
The Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF) strengthens NGO safety and security practices worldwide. We have more than 130 member INGOs and offices in London and Washington, DC.
GISF’s member-led structure makes us a trusted platform for collaboration, a driver of innovation in security risk management (SRM), and a repository of best practices. We also work closely with policymakers to enhance their understanding of SRM.
We strengthen NGO security practice worldwide by:
- Offering trusted platforms for coordination and knowledge sharing
- Driving innovation, capturing best practice, and improving SRM capabilities
- Supporting policy-makers and the humanitarian system to increase their understanding of SRM and maximise access to people in need.
About the Role
The Policy and Advocacy Adviser is a new position within GISF. You will leverage your access to our global membership’s experiences, our robust data and our forward-looking research to ensure decision-makers are equipped to support approaches that enable safe and sustainable access.
The NGO sector has never been better equipped to manage the risks involved in supporting people in need. But without the support and understanding of decision-makers, safety and security professionals are working with one hand tied behind their back.
Cultivating a well-informed and engaged policy environment is paramount. NGO safety and security professionals operate within organisational boundaries, shaped significantly by the terms of donor funding and international convention. These boundaries, spanning administrative, legal, resource-related, and risk-appetite dimensions, underscore the need for a nuanced understanding and proactive engagement.
You will also play a key role in GISF’s support for global NGO/UN security coordination. This position will provide support to NGO representatives (from ICVA, GISF, and Interaction) on the Saving Lives Together (SLT) Oversight Committee and Working Group. The SLT is a mechanism facilitating security cooperation between the United Nations and the NGO community.
Working with the Research and Communications teams, you will ensure that our members’ interests are represented in global conversations, engaging with the media, and contributing to impactful events. You will develop long-term campaigns to bring about important changes, such as increasing the role of local and national NGOs in risk management.
You don’t need to bring a detailed understanding of safety and security, but you’ll need an appreciation of the role that risk management plays in ensuring sustainable access, of the importance of coordination and collaboration, and you’ll need an understanding of how to deliver positive change in the NGO sector.
About You
- Strong knowledge of global humanitarian policies and International Humanitarian Law, including government policies, donor behaviour, international institutions and NGOs.
- Proven experience of carrying out high-quality research, policy and/or advocacy.
- Ability to think creatively, innovate, strategise, set priorities, manage a workplan and evaluate progress with minimal supervision.
- Strong networking and experience of participating in coalitions and working with civil-society actors to achieve change.
- Knowledge of human rights, international relations, political analysis and the international humanitarian system.
- Experience developing impactful events.
- Comfortable communicating complex concepts to a broad range of audiences.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to six weeks a year.
- Committed to the vision, mission and values of GISF.
What we offer
- 25 days of annual leave increasing annually after 2 years, up to a maximum 30 days (plus bank holidays)
- Office shutdown between Christmas and New Year
- Employer Pension contributions
- A focus on professional development, including access to overseas events, workshops, and training
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Youth Endowment Fund
Senior Research Manager (Toolkit)
Reports to: Evidence and Engagement Lead
Salary: £51,300
Contract: 2 years fixed-term
Location: Central London, Hybrid*
Closing date: 9am Monday, 8th April 2024
About the Youth Endowment Fund
We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice.
In recent years violent crime has risen significantly. Homicides, assaults, robberies and offences involving weapons have all seen growth. We have also seen increases in violent crime involving children and young people. This is a tragedy. Every child captured in these numbers is an important member of our community and society has a duty to protect them.
The Youth Endowment Fund exists to try and permanently change things. To succeed, we must build a fantastic body of knowledge about violence affecting young people and how we reduce it. This knowledge has to be both rigorous and highly relevant to those making decisions about how to support vulnerable young people. We need to find out what works and what doesn’t through evidence synthesis, data analysis and qualitative research into children’s lives. We then need to convert this into highly accessible content on what works, how delivery organisations need to change their practice and how the systems they operate in need to be reformed.
About the Toolkit and Synthesis Team
The Toolkit and Synthesis team is at the heart of our work to spread knowledge of what works to prevent children becoming involved in violence. We do this by creating free, highly accessible summaries of the best available research. We love to discuss the latest developments in research methods, but we’re not just interested in research for its own sake. We want research to lead to actual changes in outcomes for children.
Our flagship resource is our Toolkit a free, online resource that summarises the best available evidence about preventing children becoming involved in serious violence. It’s based on the highest-quality systematic reviews but is written in plain English and is free of jargon. It provides practical guidance and helps practitioners and policy makers turn evidence into action. The Toolkit is a live resource – we regularly update it so that professionals working to keep children safe have access to the latest findings. We do this by commissioning new systematic reviews, building a pipeline of evidence to keep expanding the Toolkit.
Alongside our work on the Toolkit, our team is also responsible for the YEF Programmes Evidence and Gap Map and the YEF Systems Evidence and Gap Map. We’re working with external partners to explore new ways of updating the research using the latest developments in technology. We’re also working with partners on an Effect Size Database to facilitate new systematic reviews and meta-analyses of research examining the impact of violence prevention interventions.
Key responsibilities
The Senior Research Manager will be an essential part of the YEF Toolkit and Synthesis team and will develop a portfolio of impactful projects. The core of your role will be leading our work on commissioning evidence synthesis.
This will involve:
- Developing the future pipeline of systematic reviews. You’ll scope out the existing evidence base and understand the needs of our audience. You’ll use this information to recommend new review topics for YEF funding.
- Leading on the design, commissioning, and management of systematic reviews. You’ll also work with our partners to manage existing grants for systematics reviews. This will involve reviewing protocols and reports, working with advisory groups, and ensuring that systematic reviews will meet our aims.
- Becoming an advocate for the insights generated by YEF-funded reviews both within and outside the organisation. You’ll ensure that these insights inform our strategy and are accurately communicated to policy makers and practitioners.
- Writing and reviewing content for the Toolkit. You’ll use findings from evidence synthesis to produce new content for the Toolkit, including summaries of the evidence and impactful resources which enable the application of research in practice. You’ll ensure that Toolkit content is only ever easy-to-understand and written in plain English with incredible clarity.
- Providing leadership across the organisation to ensure synthesis is high-quality. You’ll be the go-to person at the YEF for support with evidence synthesis.
- Ensuring that reviews are used to update and expand the YEF’s Evidence and Gap Maps.
- Contributing research to support the scoping, development and delivery of our grant-making.
- Ensuring that our strategy and decision-making are informed by the best available research.
About you
You’re this sort of person:
- You want to play a significant part in reducing the level of violence affecting young people. You care about having an impact.
- You share our belief that an evidence-based approach is our best hope of preventing violence. You’re fascinated by research, but you’re not just interested in research for its own sake. You want to achieve actual changes in outcomes for children.
- You’re a confident reader of research and have strong critical appraisal skills. You know when research can be trusted and when it can’t and can confidently articulate your views on the strength of research. You might have gained this expertise through your academic studies, research or professional experience.
- You have a proven track record of commissioning or conducting high-quality evidence synthesis. You have a good understanding of these methods and can discuss the pros and cons of them. You might have gained this expertise through your academic studies, training, research or professional experience.
- You have at least three years’ experience working in a role that required you to think about research. This could include a range of roles in policy, academia, funding or practice.
- You write in a way that people easily understand. You have that rare skill of writing in plain English. You have experience of translating complex research findings into plain writing that everyone can understand.
- You have excellent project and time management skills. You can work independently, quickly and to a high standard.
- You’re good with people. You’re comfortable working with a wide range of people, including senior academics and other research experts, children and their families, practitioners and policy makers. You’re able to provide constructive challenge when required.
- You learn fast but remain humble. You like learning. You’re very good at synthesising information. You know how much you don't know and that you can always learn more.
- You work well in a team. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit. You support your colleagues to produce excellent work.
- You’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. You believe and act in a way that celebrates and encourages a range of experiences, views and values.
You may have:
- A good level of knowledge and understanding of crime or violence. You know the facts, understand the issues, know the key people and can discuss the theories. You’re knowledgeable on this topic and very at ease discussing it with experts. Alternatively, you might have a strong understanding of a relevant area such as education, youth work or social care.
- Experience of developing a research strategy. You have thought hard about gaps in the evidence base, how they can be filled and how this might influence policy and practice.
- Experience of commissioning research and managing external contractors. You can scrutinise a budget to ensure it provides value for money.
- Confident public speaking skills. You’re an excellent verbal communicator. You’ve delivered dozens of talks on complex topics. You’re calm and confident when answering challenging questions.
While it’s not a criterion, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.
It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.
Additional benefits include
£1,000 professional development budget annually, 28 days plus Bank Holidays, four half days for volunteering activities.
Hybrid working details
The office is based in Central London. Those living in and around London are expected to be in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. If you live outside of London and work remotely, you’ll be expected to work from the London office 2 days per month.
To apply
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter, and complete the monitoring form click on "Apply for this" button by 9:00am Monday 8h April 2024.
When applying for this role, please ensure that your cover letter can answer, within a maximum of 1000 words, the following questions:
- Why are you motivated to apply for this role?
- Give clear examples where your experience directly relates to the “About You” section in the Job Description.
You should also include the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be approached with your express permission.
You will also be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. As part of our commitment to flexible working, we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage.
Interview process
Interviews will take place in the week commencing the 16th April 2024.
There will be a task to prepare for in advance.
Personal data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Previous Applicants need not apply.
Role Purpose
To fulfil its Programme Strategy 2022-2027, ShelterBox’s programming will be guided by two Shelter Technical leads, one with a greater focus on emergency response and one with a greater focus on transitional and durable shelters and WASH. The two positions - working in close coordination and collaboration - will collaborate with the Programme Quality and Programme Delivery teams, to maximise the quality of ShelterBox’s programming in alignment with our renewed mission, vision, and strategy, under the leadership of the Head of Programme Quality.
Duties will include but not be limited to:
- Provide technical input into shelter and WASH project design and development, ensuring that shelter technical standards are documented in project sheltering strategies and tools, and that these standards are adhered to throughout the project cycle.
- Continually assess ShelterBox’s technical strengths and areas for improvement, identify approaches to addressing areas for improvement and work with relevant colleagues to put these into action.
- Provide technical advice and assistance to needs assessment, project design and delivery, including through participating in project design, reviewing concept notes/proposals and presence in-country where this is necessary to support the quality of high priority activities.
- Support partners technical shelter knowledge and capacity development, ensuring that their activities are aligned with organisational and global humanitarian standards.
- Ensure that shelter projects consider priority cross-cutting issues such as, environment, housing land and property rights, protection, gender and inclusion, and safety; and that site activities comply with appropriate local, national, and international standards and regulations.
- Support to market assessments to identify existing capacities and resources that can be leveraged to support self-recovery in shelter programming.
- Provide technical support and advice to emergency preparedness planning.
- Work with Heads of Department in International Programmes to identify technical capacity building/training needs of programme staff and ShelterBox Response Team volunteers, and work with the Learning & Development team to develop approaches to meeting these needs.
- Support the Programme Delivery team (Emergencies and Regional Programmes) to assess technical capacity of partners. Develop and deliver and/or facilitate access to shelter and WASH technical capacity building opportunities for our partners as appropriate and work with the Learning & Development team to develop approaches to meeting training needs.
- Represent ShelterBox in the Global Shelter Cluster and other relevant global shelter technical fora, networks, and coordination mechanisms. Facilitate participation of other representatives of ShelterBox in technical/sector fora as appropriate.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with technical shelter leads in peer organisations.
- Act as technical focal point for existing strategic global/regional partnerships and support the Director and Deputy Director of International Programmes and the Partnerships Manager to build and maintain new strategic relationships with other shelter actors (not including Rotary).
- Engage with sector networks and resources to maintain relationships and awareness of sector trends, learning and recommended practice. Identify potential opportunities and significant improvements in the way we work.
- Proactively analyse and make recommendations on how emerging global and sector trends, developments and research might potentially affect current policy and practices.
- Support development of a Research Strategy and ensure accompanying work plans to make the most of opportunity for improvement, innovation, and development. Include consideration of aid items, approaches, and agreed organisational learnings.
- Build links and collaborate with relevant sector organisations, communities of practice and academic institutions to build strategically appropriate research agenda.
- Engage professional partners (organisations, individuals, and communities of practice) to both obtain and cascade learning opportunities.
- Promote and actively support an organisational learning culture. Communicate knowledge and learning related to product, process, and approach. Work with the Impact & Accountability Lead to ensure that ShelterBox has robust systems in place for technical knowledge management and knowledge sharing. Ensure relevant programme and wider staff are aware of key sector trends and recommended practice as appropriate.
- Work in collaboration with the Sustainability Manager to ensure that project design and implementation considers sustainability, including, but not limited to, utilising local resources where this makes sense and in reducing plastic and emissions in our programming.
- Work in collaboration with Sustainability Manager and Supply Chain to research, test, develop and implement more sustainable alternatives to our shelter offering.
- Support the development of a research strategy and ensure accompanying work plans to make the most of opportunity for improvement, innovation, and development. Include consideration of aid items, approaches, and agreed organisational learnings.
- Accurately and accessibly present ideas, findings, recommendations, and changes as appropriate to the audience to support organisational awareness, decision making, sector voice, and income generation.
- Work away from home, this may be UK or overseas training or deployment to disaster affected areas. Whilst you are unlikely to respond for more than six weeks at any one time, you may be required to deploy for up to 40% of your time in any calendar year.
Other responsibilities
- Any other duties as required which are deemed appropriate to the level and grade of the post.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Our Service delivers independent advice to Greenwich students, supporting them to stay and succeed at university. This role will specifically support students on our Greenwich and Avery Hill sites but you’ll also help students studying on our Medway campus, mainly.
The Students’ Union Advice Service is a professional, independent, and free service that empowers students to navigate academic regulation, and access support. The Student Adviser has a key role in providing professional advice to students 1-1 and in a group.
Looking at trend data, the role will support the team in developing insights into the needs of students studying at Greenwich.
Guided by this information, the post holder will develop new initiatives and facilitate service outreach to reduce the likelihood of issues arising in the first place.
This role sits within the Advocacy and Policy Team who focus on making 1-1 timely interventions to support students to succeed as well as identifying broader trends in student behavior to inform our strategic approach to services and support.
Duties and Key Responsibilities
This post holder will be part of the wider Advocacy and Policy Team and will be expected to contribute to departments wider objectives and planning.
The post holder will:
Advice
- Provide academic processes and welfare advice to clients on relevant issues online, on the phone and in person.
- Take an empowering, client centred approach and, if necessary, act on behalf of the client to obtain information or advocate for them.
- Undertake peer review activities and supervision.
- To create and maintain accurate, comprehensive case records at all times; record all advice given and outcomes of any actions taken. Ensure confidentiality is adhered to.
Monitoring Trends
- Monitor trends in student casework and advice queries and report on these trends to inform Students’ Union practices and advocacy.
- Provide briefings, debriefs, reports, research and where appropriate attend forums and other meetings to ensure that advice service trends inform policy and practice improvements.
Outreach
- Support the development of new initiatives and facilitate service outreach, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups.
- Assist the team with a review of relevant reference materials and publicity for the service as requested.
Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate with colleagues, to ensure we have a consistent approach to how we work with and support students.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships and links with appropriate staff in the University and with external agencies.
General Responsibilities
- Represent and be an ambassador for GSU.
- Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position.
- Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development.
- Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
- Support and promote liberation, diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.
- Treat with confidentiality any personal, private, or sensitive information about individual organisations and or clients or staff and Project data.
- Actively seek better ways to assist GSU in its effort to become a more sustainable workplace.
- Any other duties commensurate with the accountabilities of the post.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Experience
- Relevant working or voluntary experience working in a client or stakeholder-facing role.
- Experience in negotiation and advocacy.
- Project planning, implementation, and evaluation skills.
- Experience in working with a range of stakeholders and partnership working.
- Experience advising, supporting, or advocating for clients would be an advantage.
Skills and Abilities
- Problem-solving, and able to deal with and resolve difficult situations calmly, efficiently, and effectively.
- Knowledge of IT systems. Ability to use digital Advice casework databases such as AdvicePro would be an advantage but training will be provided.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly – 1-1, in meetings and in written form.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to reach deadlines, within agreed budgets and to a consistently high standard.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of academic, welfare, housing, and benefits advice would be an advantage but training will be provided.
- Knowledge of Safeguarding.
- Knowledge of principles of confidentiality, GDPR and handling sensitive data.
- Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation.
Education/Training
- No one specific qualification is required, but it would be an advantage showing evidence of professional development in an area relevant to the post. For example, training in areas of advice, ILM, project management etc.
Personal Attributes and Other Requirements
- Able to travel across our campuses, Greenwich, Medway and Avery Hill. There is a dedicated bus service staff can use to Greenwich/Avery Hill/Medway.
- Can work independently as lone working at times is a requirement of this role.
- May need to stay overnight for training and conferences. Advance notice given for flexibility.
- Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work.
- Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
- Commitment to the values and ethos of the Organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Closing Date: 14th April 2024.
Location: Community Based in mid Essex, with some homeworking elements.
Interview date: 24th-29th April 2024.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Are you looking for a rewarding career where every day is different?
Do you have the passion and drive to make a positive difference in people’s lives who are affected by dementia?
Would you like to work within a supportive and compassionate team where we work openly, combining our strengths, helping us to achieve more together?
About the role
We are looking for a Dementia Adviser to work in our Mid Essex Memory clinic service for 28 hours per week.
There is no direct care element to the Dementia Adviser role, however we work passionately to provide advice, support and guidance to people affected by dementia. This role will support people who have received a Dementia Diagnosis and help provide the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their future post diagnostically.
Your role:
- Offering a vital and compassionate advice service to support and guide those affected by dementia.
- Provide community based, face to face services for an increased level of support for more complex cases.
- Managing referrals, assisting clients in assessing their information and support needs in a person-centred manner.
- Providing knowledgeable and trusted information regarding services and benefits available and, where appropriate, assist clients in accessing them.
- Signposting clients to a choice of suitable other sources of help, where appropriate.
- Developing a proactive approach in reaching people with dementia and carers who may not otherwise access our services.
About you
We are hoping to welcome an approachable and knowledgeable Dementia Adviser to work in the Mid Essex area. This is an amazing opportunity to have a rewarding career providing support and guidance to people with dementia and their carers. We strive to help people to maintain independence, improving their sense of well-being, and putting people in more control of their own lives. We promote a person-centred service so that our support is unique to each individual, based upon their own aspirations and needs. We provide information and support in people’s homes and at locations across Essex.
We are looking for:
- Working experience of assessing people face to face with an ability to assess their needs.
- Deliver advice and guidance with a non-judgmental approach and outstanding communication skills.
- Strong organisational and time management skills to manage your caseload of clients effectively.
- Experience of working in a community or hospital environment
- Good IT skills and be able to travel independently across Essex.
- An understanding of dementia and the needs of those living with dementia and their carers would be an advantage but if you have had experience supporting with other challenges this would be taken into consideration.
If you would like to speak to a Dementia Advisor who is currently carrying out this role to see if it is for you, please get in touch.
Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society.
About Alzheimer's Society
At Alzheimer's Society, we believe passionately that life doesn't end when dementia begins. We are here for anyone affected by dementia, and we do everything we can to keep people with dementia connected to their lives and the people who matter most.
Everything we do is shaped by people affected by dementia. Their knowledge and experience are critical to bringing about real-world solutions. From choosing the most promising research through to telling their stories to raise awareness; they are the heart of this organisation.
Our Values
We are Determined to make a difference when and where it matters most, by being passionate, focussed and making a lasting impact for people affected by dementia.
Every one of us is a Trusted expert, listening, learning and using evidence and experience. We are Better together by being open, combining our strengths, helping us to achieve more together. We are Compassionate, we are kind and honest, and we don’t shy away from challenges.
Through our values we will make the greatest difference for people affected by dementia.
Equal Opportunities
We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.
We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and be at your best.
Role Profile
This is an opportunity for you to join an established charity that has an excellent reputation locally as a trusted partner and as a great place to work. You’ll be a part of a small, but committed team with big ambitions that works cohesively and effectively together to get things done. You will provide generalist level advice and casework focused on welfare benefits, housing and energy as well as offering non-monetary debt advice about priority debts and budgeting.
You’ll help people to understand their rights and responsibilities by exploring their problems in depth. You'll proactively encourage clients to take responsibility for completing actions to resolve problems themselves. Taking responsibility for cases and advocating on behalf of clients where appropriate.
You’ll work closely with our key partners across North Lincolnshire within the statutory and voluntary and community sectors and ensure clients receive a good quality and holistic service that supports individuals to remove the financial and psychological barriers to achieving positive outcomes and build resilience for the future.
This role is offered both on a trainee and a qualified basis. For the trainee position we’re not necessarily looking for someone who has previous experience working within the advice sector, as long as you’re empathetic and able to provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way we can provide full training.
You’ll really be able to make the role your own. You’ll be a part of a small, but committed team with big ambitions that works cohesively and effectively together to get things done. You'll be an important and valued member of the team and, with the support of Citizens Advice North Lincolnshire, will be responsible for ensuring people focused outcomes are met in a pressurised environment.
What we offer our staff
We provide an employee assistance scheme managed by LifeWorks. Benefits include:
- 24/7 - 365 telephone helpline
- LifeWorks online support website
- LifeWorks app
- 6 sessions of face to face counselling per issue – unlimited issues per annum
- Employee legal helpline
- Consulting services – financial, debt advice, housing, relocation, parenting, eldercare, work performance, health and wellness advice and much more
- Childcare and eldercare matching service
- Savings on everyday purchases and life events
- Access for family members and dependants – excluding counselling and legal advice
Annual leave: Annual leave is 25 days from 1st January to 31st December, plus 8 bank holidays. We offer additional long service leave of 5 days after 4 years of employment
Job Title: Senior Policy Research Officer
Directorate: Strategy and Knowledge
Team/Department (if specific): Policy and Public Affairs
Salary range: £35,423 (plus £3,366 London weighting)
Location: London (hybrid working, with at least one day- Tuesday- in the office). The post holder will occasionally be expected to travel to locations across the UK.
Working hours: 35 hours (flexible working may be considered)
Date Written/ Amended: March 2024
Context and Background
The NSPCC's vision is that together, we can stop child abuse and neglect. Through the collective power of our staff, volunteers, supporters, partners, and over 100 years of experience we will move closer to achieving that vision.
We launched our ten-year strategy in 2021, which is centred around three impact goals. This is the difference we want to make by 2031:
1. Everyone plays their part to prevent child abuse: we'll work together to make it easier for everyone to play their part and create a social safety net that prevents child abuse and neglect.
2. Every child is safe online: together, we'll transform the online world, so it's safe for every child to go online.
3. Children feel safe, listened to and supported: more children will be able to speak out, so they feel safe, listened to and understood - and abuse doesn't shape their future.
The Policy and Public Affairs (PAPA) team is part of the Strategy and Knowledge Directorate at the NSPCC. The Directorate exists to help shape the world around us - and what the NSPCC does - so that it reflects what we have learned and can help keep children safe from abuse.
The PAPA team works across the four nations of the UK to influence legislation, policy and practice to ensure they are as effective as possible in keeping children safe. We focus on policy priorities through our five core workstreams: the child protection system and children's social care; early years and health; child sexual abuse; online safety; and young victims and witnesses.
We are recruiting a Senior Policy Research Officer to develop and deliver our early years and health policy work to deliver real change and reform in the best interests of children.
The post holder will work in the UK/England part of the Policy and Affairs Team focussed on influencing the Westminster Government. The role involves a variety of responsibilities including policy research, policy development and public affairs. This is a great opportunity to drive policy work in an exciting policy area, by building a strong evidence base and contributing to effective influencing strategies.
Job purpose
The Senior Policy Research Officer will be responsible for undertaking policy research to achieve the NSPCC's strategic goals, using their skills and experience to strengthen the NSPCC's impact on public policy relating to the early years and health. In doing so, they will make a significant contribution to protecting the youngest children from abuse and neglect
Key relationships - Internal
· Reports to the England Policy and Public Affairs Manager
· Colleagues in the wider Policy and Public Affairs team across the UK
· Colleagues in the Media and Campaigns teams
· Colleagues in the Research and Evidence team
· Colleagues in the Services directorate (to ensure policy development is informed by experiences and learning from our frontline professionals/ volunteers)
· Colleagues in the Participation Unit (to ensure the involvement of young people in policy and influencing work)
Key relationships - External
· Key civil servants and policy advisers in the UK Government
· MPs and Peers in the UK Parliament
· Colleagues in relevant voluntary and statutory agencies
· Practitioner bodies
· Key academics, researchers and research networks
Main duties and responsibilities
· Develop and maintain a high level of expertise on priority policy areas, with lead responsibility for early years and health policy.
· Scope, develop and refine NSPCC policies on priority policy issues, putting forward the economic case for change where possible.
· Analyse a wide range of primary and secondary sources of evidence (such as official data sets and statistics, policy documents, academic literature, economic analyses, FOls and survey data) to develop innovative and evidence-based policy solutions to complex problems.
· Prepare high-quality policy outputs such as briefings, summaries, consultation responses, papers and presentations for internal and external audiences.
· Contribute to the delivery of our research activity, working with teams across NSPCC to assess policy and evidence needs, then design and undertake impactful research projects to address these.
· Contribute to the commissioning of methodologically robust and ethically sound research to investigate a substantial child protection challenge, including by devising clearly defined requirements for the work.
· Manage policy research projects from development and commissioning stage through to completion, providing direction and supervision to ensure the highest standards of delivery.
· Develop and maintain a network of key contacts across parliament, the civil service, and civil society, using this network to amplify the NSPCC's voice and take advantage of opportunities to influence policy making.
· Represent the NSPCC on relevant internal and external advisory groups, meetings, and stakeholder events.
· Act as media spokesperson for the NSPCC on relevant subject areas, including live and pre-recorded interviews as well as background discussions with journalists on policy relating to early years and health.
Responsibilities for all Staff within the Strategy and Knowledge Directorate
There is a set of responsibilities for all staff within each directorate.
· A commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
· To maintain an overview of child protection policy and practice
· To maintain an awareness of own and other's health and safety and comply with NSPCC's Health and Safety procedures
· An active commitment to promoting ED&I, safeguarding and trauma informed practice
· An agile approach to work
· To maintain and develop competence in the use of IT systems
Person specification
1) Strong support for the NSPCC's mission and values.
2) Good understanding of child protection, early years, health or related public policy areas combined with knowledge of the wider legal, government and media context.
3) Excellent policy development skills, with the ability to develop and refine policy solutions to complex problems.
4) Proven ability to undertake research (qualitative and/ or quantitative) and analyse findings, with an ability to design methodologically robust and ethically sound research that is delivered to a high standard and agreed timescales.
5) Experience of successfully presenting research accurately to make a clear and compelling case for policy and legislative change.
6) Excellent communication skills including a clear and concise writing style, combined with good oral presentation skills, that can be tailored to a variety of audiences.
7) Good public affairs skills, with strong knowledge of parliamentary processes, sound political judgement, and experience of contributing to the delivery of influencing strategies to secure support from decision makers in parliament and beyond.
8) Ability to work on own initiative with strong organisational and project management skills, including demonstrable experience of project managing small research projects, working at speed and under pressure when required, while successfully managing project progress, risks and quality.
9) Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build constructive working relationships with external stakeholders, as well as to work effectively as part of an internal, cross departmental team.
Safer Recruitment
As an organisation, we are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk.
Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with our children and adults.
The recruitment and selection of our people will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
Our principles:
Always seek to recruit the best candidate for the role based on merit including their skills, experience, motivation and competencies. Our robust recruitment and selection process should ensure the identification of the person best suited to the role and the organisation.
• Committed to diversity and equality of opportunity and will interview all applicants (internal and external) who self-declare at application as having a disability and who meet the minimum requirements in the person specification of the vacancy they are applying for.
• We will make reasonable adjustments at all stages of the recruitment process in order to enable successful candidates who declare disabilities to start working or volunteering their time with us.
• Any current member of staff or volunteer who wishes to apply for vacancies and is suitably qualified will be considered and addressed fairly and objectively based on their merit.
• As an organisation committed to safeguarding, we will ensure all under 18's joining the organisation will have ongoing risk assessments to ensure their role and activities are safe and appropriate.
• All documentation relating to candidates will be treated confidentially in accordance with the GDPR legislation.