Research and policy officer jobs

Details:

Salary: £22,800 per annum based on 3 days/21 hours per week (FTE: £38,000 per annum)

Contract: Fixed term contract for two years. Part time role working 3 days (21 hours) per week.

Location: The position will be based in Northern Ireland and will have a desk at Northern Ireland Hospice, Belfast. This role is eligible for the Hospice UK Hybrid Working Arrangement from the start of employment.

Hospice UK’s head office is based in London. This role will have full web-based connectivity to the central office, with regular opportunities to engage with the line manager and colleagues via email, face-to-face meetings, video calls, and telephone.

Whilst we work flexibly, because we work with decision makers in Stormont, there will be an expectation that you can travel to Belfast at short notice if required. 

There will be occasional travel to London for department and/or organisational wide events, such as our in-person quarterly events. 

Benefits:

• 25 days pro rata in the first year, increasing to 27.5 days pro rata in the second year of service and 30 days pro rata in the third.
• Matched pension scheme up to 7% of salary
• Family-friendly culture
• Learning and development opportunities
• Enhanced carers and compassionate leave

How to apply: CV and supporting statement - using Hospice UK’s supporting statement document – see below

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Sunday 30 November 2025.

Interview dates: We expect to hold  interviews over Teams on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December 2025.

We’ll send assessments and some questions to you in advance so that you can prepare. Let us know if you have any specific needs to be able to fully engage with the process.

Job information:

This exciting new role in our award-winning External Affairs department will work on policy and public affairs in Northern Ireland. You will fight for the hospice sector and people who need their care and support, helping us to create a nation where no one misses out on the care they need at the end of their lives.

This will be our first on-the-ground role in Northern Ireland, providing the post-holder with the opportunity to build our influencing work from the ground up. You will have the chance to build on our work over the last three years and the strong relationships we have with hospices. You will be working closely with our Policy and Public Affairs Manager (Scotland and NI) to expand our impact in Northern Ireland.

Key aspects of this role will include:

• Policy research, development and analysis - keep track of policy and political developments in Stormont, analyse their impact on hospices and people who need palliative care and brief colleagues and hospices on this. We would also expect you to prepare succinct and influential reports, consultation responses and briefings on policy issues for a range of audiences.
• Public affairs and campaigning - plan and deliver public affairs activity to achieve Hospice UK’s strategic aims and react to opportunities to influence the political debate in Northern Ireland, engaging with civil servants, parliamentarians and other external stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key partners and stakeholders
• Act as a media spokesperson and represent Hospice UK at external events, meetings and conferences
• Build relationships with hospices in Northern Ireland to understand the challenges they face and the context they operate within. 

It is essential that you have experience in policy, public affairs, campaigns or a related field in Northern Ireland and a good understanding of policy development and/or parliamentary processes in Northern Ireland.

We would also expect you to have excellent communication, influencing and relationship building skills and an ability to quickly read, understand and respond to complex information.

You’ll find lots more information about the role and team in the Candidate Information Pack (available on our website to download).

How to apply:

To apply for this role, please send us the following documents by midnight on Sunday 30 November 2025:

• Your CV. Ideally in Microsoft Word format and less than 3 pages of A4.
• A completed supporting statement form (where you can demonstrate how you meet the person specification) - available on our website to download.
• A completed equalities monitoring form - available on our website to download.

We will shortlist candidates based on their CV and supporting statements. A briefing of what to expect will be sent in advance to shortlisted candidates.

Closing date for applications: by midnight on Sunday 30 November 2025.

We believe in fair recruitment and working to remove bias, so all applications will have identifying indicators removed before being submitted to the shortlisting panel.

Please make sure you provide your contact details in your email. Please note the interview dates above and let us know if there are any accommodations you might need to participate fully in the process. We will try to be flexible.

To be considered for this role you must have the right to live and work in the UK for your application to be progressed. Hospice UK is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

The Clinical Portfolio Manager will work closely with the Head of Clinical Research to pioneer and advance our new clinical research programme. This role is vital in advancing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research objectives and organisational strategy and will be key to delivering impact for people affected by dementia. The Clinical Portfolio Manager will manage the development and monitoring of our clinical research portfolio working collaboratively as appropriate with external stakeholders and various departments across the organisation, including the wider Research, Fundraising and Policy, Communications and Involvement Teams.

This role sits within the Clinical Research team in the Research Directorate, an ambitious, proactive and growing team that is driving forward initiatives to bring more clinical trials to the UK for people living with dementia. With the first generation of disease modifying treatments recently approved, this is an exceptional opportunity for an individual with strong research programme management experience who understands the clinical research environment in the UK, to contribute to groundbreaking work in dementia research, aligning with and advancing on the Government's investment initiatives in the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Research Portfolio Development

· Manage the development of ARUK’s clinical research portfolio, including funded trials, sub-studies, and Clinical Fellowships

· Act as the key point of contact for potential clinical research applicants, liaising with our clinical advisors to provide advice regarding strategic alignment and pre-application feedback on potential proposals

· Work closely with the Research Involvement Manager and Clinical Research Manager to integrate best practices in patient involvement and co-production to ensure ARUK funded clinical research is relevant for and supported by people affected by dementia

· Support the Research Funding team with the grant review process for clinical proposals to ensure appropriate Clinical Committee reviewer allocations, meeting logistics, paperwork, minutes, and committee feedback

· Contribute to the ongoing development of the Clinical Committee, supporting the Research Funding team with identifying appropriate members, facilitating committee discussions and implement advised strategies to ensure expert insight and support for the clinical research programme

· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of global developments in dementia clinical research and collaborate in mapping the clinical research ecosystem, identifying gaps in funding to support the development of potential clinical research funding opportunities aligned with ARUK’s strategy

Clinical Research Portfolio Oversight

· Oversee the progress monitoring of key clinical research projects, tracking milestones, managing potential risks, and keeping partners updated where applicable, working with the Research Funding team to ensure invoices are managed accordingly

· Work with the Senior Clinical Programmes Operations Officer to maintain the programme tracker and Salesforce records, ensuring conversations and updates are captured

· Support internal reporting mechanisms, providing timely updates to the Senior Leadership Team and preparation of papers and briefings for relevant meetings, including the Clinical Committee and Scientific Advisory Board

· Work with the Evidence Manager to monitor the clinical research portfolio against key performance indicators and evaluate the impact of ARUK clinical research funding to inform future clinical grant calls

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

· Play a pivotal role in fostering and nurturing relationships with clinical leaders and research funders in the UK to build the profile of ARUK’s clinical research programme and help us to accelerate research towards a cure

· Work closely with our Research Partnerships manager to maintain and build partnerships that further the clinical research programme’s objectives

· Support the Head of Clinical Research in enhancing ARUK’s external profile through active participation in meetings and collaborations with key stakeholders

· Ensure appropriate information-sharing between internal stakeholders including Research, Fundraising, Finance, Policy, Communications, and Involvement teams

What we are looking for:

· Degree (or equivalent) in relevant biomedical science

· Proven experience managing large programmes of work, preferably in the healthcare, research or charity sector

· Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple priorities, overseeing budgets and identifying risks

· Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholder groups and build strong, effective and productive relationships

· Experience defining programme requirements and using data and metrics to determine improvements

· Understanding of drug development and clinical research

· Demonstrable commitment to collaborative and inclusive working.

· Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values

· Good analytical skills demonstrated by a structured and methodical approach

· Excellent eye for detail with a focus on continuous improvement

· Strong communication skills both oral and written with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences

· Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task, prioritise competing demands

· Collaborative approach with ability to build strong relationships with a range of stakeholders

· Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines

· Ability to use own initiative, with a proactive and problem-solving attitude

· Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight travel

· Good IT skills.

Additional Information:

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

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

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

Salary: Circa £44,000 per annum, plus benefits

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

The closing date for applications is the 30th November 2025, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest 

Battersea is entering an exciting phase of innovation and transformation as we embark on our new five-year strategy. With increased investment in income generation from 2025, we are expanding our team to drive the growth necessary to achieve our organisational goals. Our fundraising team bridges the journey of the animals in our care with the wider public, demonstrating how their contributions enable us to support every dog and cat.

This is a new role working across Battersea’s Philanthropy, Partnerships and Commercial (PP&C) fundraising team, to help drive income growth and maintain strong funder relationships.

The primary focus of your work will be prospect identification and qualification for an upcoming capital campaign. This will include new major donor prospects and charitable Trusts that support capital projects.
You will also be responsible for undertaking due diligence on individuals, corporations and trusts that are supporting Battersea in order to inform our colleagues about potential financial and reputational risks, empowering them to make informed decisions about our partnerships.
You will be an integral part of the capital campaign, managing the prospect pipelines, tracking prospects as they move through the cultivation cycle and supporting the fundraisers with their cultivation. You will also write and contribute to event biographies for our Special Event program during particularly busy periods.
You will ensure that all research output is compliant with GDPR and will share data protection expertise with other team members.

What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 36 days of annual leave (inclusive of 8 days Bank Holiday leave allowance) per year for full time employees (pro-rated for part-time employees).
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. 

More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

If you are successful to the interview stage of the recruitment process, we ask that you follow the below guidelines on the use of AI at interview stages:

Acceptable use:

• Researching sector trends, company information, or general interview tips.
• Practicing interview questions with AI tools to improve communication skills.
• Using AI to support with structuring your responses.

Please do not:

• Submit AI-generated responses as your own during the interview.
• Use AI to impersonate or misrepresent your experience or skills.
• Use AI tools during real-time interviews.

Closing date: 28th November 2025
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview date(s): Week commencing 8th December 2025

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.

To apply for the role, click on the "Apply" button below

Location: London, UK (Hybrid working available)

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Salary: £38,000 - £42,000 (dependent on experience)

About the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF)

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) works internationally to protect the natural world and defend the human rights of those who depend on it. We use powerful films, campaigns, and investigations to expose abuses and drive systemic change, from illegal fishing and deforestation to climate breakdown and threats to environmental defenders.

We believe in equity, transparency, and justice - empowering communities on the frontlines of environmental crises and amplifying their voices to secure lasting change.

The Role

EJF is seeking a Research and Advocacy Officer to play a central role in EJFs growing team advancing our campaigns on Deep Sea Mining (DSM) and on key areas of our Oceans policy work, especially as it relates to Climate. The postholder will conduct high-quality research, contribute to policy development, and directly engage in advocacy to influence decision-makers, industry actors, and international institutions.

This is a unique opportunity for an early-to-mid-career professional passionate about ocean conservation, climate governance, and environmental justice to contribute to urgent global debates at the intersection of science, policy, and human rights.

Key Responsibilities:

Research and Analysis

• Conduct rigorous desk-based research on deep sea mining, and developments in related governance frameworks.
• Analyse the social, environmental, and geopolitical implications of emerging ocean and climate technologies, specifically including mCDR
• Produce advocacy reports, briefings, and policy analyses to inform EJF’s advocacy and communications.
• Monitor developments across international fora and within international specific MEAs (e.g., ISA, UNFCCC, CBD) and scientific literature.
• Provide detailed briefings for leadership including the CEO on emerging science, policy and activities across the portfolio.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement

• Support EJF’s advocacy strategy to influence national, regional, and international policy processes on DSM and mCDR.
• Draft policy recommendations, position statements, and submissions to governments, intergovernmental organisations, and industry bodies.
• When requested represent EJF in meetings, conferences, and coalitions, effectively communicating EJF’s positions and priorities.

Communications and Outreach

• Contribute to the development of compelling written and visual content (blogs, op-eds, briefings) to amplify campaign messages.
• Support public engagement and media outreach in collaboration with EJF’s communications team.
• Assist in preparing campaign materials and presentations for donors, partners, and public audiences.

Collaboration and Support

• Work closely with EJFs global team of researchers, campaigners, and filmmakers to integrate findings into multimedia advocacy outputs.
• Engage with external partners, academic experts, and civil society networks.
• Contribute to funding proposals and donor reporting as required.

Essential Requirements

• A degree (Master’s preferred) in environmental policy, marine science, international relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in research and policy analysis within environmental, ocean, or climate issues.
• Strong understanding of international environmental governance, particularly relating to ocean protection, climate policy, or emerging marine technologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality materials for both expert and general audiences.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• A demonstrable commitment to environmental justice
• A clear understanding of and strong commitment to EJF’s mission of environmental protection and social justice.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the International Seabed Authority, UNFCCC ocean agenda, or relevant EU/UK policy frameworks.
• Experience in advocacy or campaigning within NGOs, think tanks, or intergovernmental bodies.
• Experience analysing scientific or technical data and translating it into policy-relevant insights.
• Fluency in another language (especially French, Spanish, Mandarin) would be an advantage.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work at the intersection of environmental protection, human rights, and international policy.
• A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
• Professional development opportunities and exposure to high-level advocacy arenas.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining your interest and suitability for the role to the email address provided with the subject line: Research and Advocacy Officer - Climate and Oceans.

Please let us know how you heard about the position at the end of your application.

Application deadline: December 10, 2025

Candidates must have the legal right to live and work in the UK.

EJF is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds in the environmental sector to apply. If you believe you would be a good fit for this role but are unsure whether you meet every requirement, we warmly encourage you to apply.

The Nuffield Foundation is a charitable trust tackling the UK’s biggest social challenges by funding research, generating evidence, and guiding decision-makers to implement solutions that improve people’s lives.​ We are now recruiting to the new role of Senior Policy Officer in order to increase the impact and influence of the research that we fund.

Working within our Policy and Public Affairs team, the Senior Policy Officer will work across the Nuffield Foundation family to enable evidence-based influence among a broad range of stakeholders including Government, parliamentarians, other policymakers at national and regional level and the third sector.

You will contribute to thinking and development of prioritised policy areas with within our strategic review, produce external policy outputs (including reports, briefings, consultation responses, letters and web content) as well as internal briefings on key policy issues for senior colleagues, and teams across the organisation.

The Senior Policy Officer will also horizon scan and monitor forthcoming legislation and policy agendas as well as monitoring parliamentary activity and support our parliamentary engagement strategies to promote Nuffield-funded research.

You will already have some experience of working in a policy or public affairs role, with an excellent understanding of the political climate and mechanisms of the UK political system.

You will have knowledge of social policy issue and be comfortable working with academic research and be able to identify opportunities where the Foundation can achieve real impact with its work.

You will be a strong communicator (both in person and in your written outputs) and be able to work across a wide and varied policy portfolio and engage with a range of policy makers and other stakeholders.

You should have a creative, collaborative, open and inclusive approach to working, with the ability to work well in a team and also independently.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to further develop their policy skills at a time of great shift in the social policy landscape.

About us  

The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable foundation with a founding purpose to advance social well-being.

We achieve this by funding and undertaking rigorous research, encouraging innovation, and supporting the use of sound evidence to improve people’s lives. We tackle pressing, complex questions. Our aim is to open up opportunities and to improve lives for individuals, families and communities, within a just and inclusive society. Our work addresses the inequalities, disadvantage, discrimination and vulnerabilities that people face, and considers the social and ethical implications of scientific and technological advances.

We are the founder and co-funder of Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and the Ada Lovelace Institute.

We value diversity in background, skills, perspectives and life experiences.

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

Salary: £34,754

Base: Central Edinburgh/hybrid

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

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

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

About the role and what we’re looking for

What will you be doing?

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

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

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

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

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

What are we looking for?

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

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

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

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

Who are we? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Us

Population Matters is an environmental and human rights charity, working to ensure that our population can co-exist in harmony with nature and prosper on a healthy planet.

Our vision is of a world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.

Our mission is to address the negative consequences of ever more people using ever more of the planet’s resources and to inspire and engage with others to find, share and promote ways to make our vision a reality as quickly as possible.

You

Have you completed a PhD? Do you have experience originating, facilitating and conducting original research? Do you have a good understanding of statistical methods and want to help put your skills to use to help address some of humanity’s biggest challenges?

We have just entered a new five-year strategy period and are looking for someone to join our expanding Research Team, which both commissions and conducts research. We are a growing organisation and will be further expanding internationally over the strategy period.

If your application is successful, you will join a unique, research focused and data driven organisation.  

How we’ll do things

Population Matters is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age and all other categories protected by law.

If you require any adjustments to make the process more accessible, or to arrange an informal conversation about the role, please email the recruiting manager, Dr Joshua Hill, via our switchboard.

Please apply by sending a CV (no more than two A4 pages) and covering letter (no more than two A4 pages), addressing the Job Description and, in particular, the Person Specification.

We will use blind recruitment practices to minimise unconscious bias.

The deadline for applications is midday on Thursday 20th November. We will inform successful first round candidates by 5pm on Friday 21st November and we will hold first interviews on the Tuesday 25th November, remotely, with Dr Joshua Hill, Chief Research & Operations Officer, and Dr David Samways, Editor of the Journal of Population and Sustainability. We will hold second interviews on the morning of the 2nd December, with Dr Joshua Hill and Jameen Kaur, Director of Influence and Advocacy.

Thank you for your interest in Population Matters.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Policy and Practice Officer to work as part of our Policy and Influencing Team.

Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

Rethink Mental Illness is the charity for people severely affected by mental illness. No matter who a person is or how bad their situation has got, we are here to help them get the information and support they need to live a better life. We work tirelessly to ensure people living with mental illness and their carers are listened to, treated fairly and have easy access to services that meet their mental health needs and wider physical health, financial, housing, work and volunteering needs. We do this by providing our own services, campaigning on a local and national level, and working with a wide range of other organisations to create communities that care.

The Policy and Practice Officer role is based within the ‘Policy and Practice’ department which has the overall function of elevating the voice of lived experience and diverse communities to influence systemic change and ensuring it is delivered on the ground.

How you will make a difference

You will be instrumental in supporting a range of activity across ‘Policy and Practice’ including the following teams: Policy and Influencing (where this role primarily sits) and the Lived Experience Insights team. The role also has a dotted line into the Racial Justice and Equity team and may also work with other teams, such as Campaigns and Communications and Evidence and Impact. The post is ideal for you if you are keen to gain a range of experience and develop your skills in an engaging and supportive team environment.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion 

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. 

We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation 

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here. 

The Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager will play a key role in positioning Action for pulmonary Fibrosis as the leading voice in improving PF care. The postholder will take a leadership role within the Policy and Public Affairs team, providing strategic direction on our key policy priorities. Working with the Director of Policy, Research and Involvement, you will lead the development and implementation of policy initiatives that align with the organisation’s strategic priorities including OneVoiceILD, our movement to bring transformational systems change to how NHS services are delivered across the UK.

This is a highly visible position, working in collaboration with healthcare and allied health professionals, commissioners, researchers, voluntary sector partners and within the wider respiratory community. As a member of APF’s Organisation Leadership Group, the PPA Manager will collaborate to drive operational delivery of strategic priorities, coordinating cross-team activity, support organisational communication and culture, and review risks, procedures and operational performance.

Key Areas of the Role:

OneVoiceILD: Lead an effective OneVoiceILD movement, our vehicle for transformational systems change in the NHS.
Policy: Provide leadership on our policy priorities across all four nations of the UK.
Public affairs and influencing: Lead a strong programme that brings our policy and influencing priorities to life through targeted engagement with key stakeholders.

We are seeking a candidate with proven research experience, including the ability to interpret and analyse data and present solutions. You will have a keen interest in health and social care and the ability to write clear, concise policy reviews. You will also have a flair for programme and project management, and be skilled in organising tasks, logistics and administrative systems. The successful applicant will value equality, diversity and inclusion, and will be enthusiastic about promoting these principles in their work. They will have warmth, empathy and respect for others, alongside the ability to effectively engage seldom-heard communities in the local community (in either Barnet or Croydon).

The Research and Engagement Officer will report to, and support, the Healthwatch Manager (either in Barnet or Croydon). They will:

• Deliver research projects – including planning logistics, designing methodology and analysing quantitative and qualitative data.

• Report findings through presentations and written reports throughout the year.

• Lead on organising projects, ensuring that actions are followed up, prioritising effectively and providing relevant outputs.

• Deliver a regular programme of community-based outreach and events.

• Onboard, support and manage volunteers, working with our team of volunteers to deliver research and associated activities.

• Undertake policy reviews and provide advice on research and evaluation methodology to the Research Director, Healthwatch Manager and other members of the Public Voice team.

• Work with Public Voice teams to capture issues relating to the delivery of services or gaps in policies. Use this information to identify common themes which relate to service design and health and social care policy.

• Engage effectively with seldom-heard communities in the local community (either in Barnet or Croydon).

The Mental Health Foundation is recruiting for a Head of Research to lead our UK Research team.

Deadline: 5pm on Sunday 30th November
Location: Glasgow OR London
Salary: Starting at £52,166 rising to £60,861, plus London weighting of £4,000 where applicable
Hours: Full-time (32 hours per week)
Contract type: Permanent

This is an exciting new role with the UK’s leading public mental health charity. The Head of Research role is a fantastic opportunity to lead our UK research team to achieve social change. We are looking for research and management expertise, strategic thinking, operational delivery, and the ability to collaborate and communicate with a range of stakeholders including media, academics, policymakers and communities. You will be part of an outstanding leadership team committed to delivering change across the UK. The role will deliver our UK-wide research, reporting to the Director of Research & Lived Experience.

What does the role involve?

• Support the Director of Research & Lived Experience to develop and deliver a 5-year research strategy
• Lead our UK research team to deliver and commission studies and reviews to a high standard at pace
• Present research clearly and persuasively to media, governments, academics, funders and communities

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• Excellent research skills, experience and credibility in health or social research
• Strategic thinker who can also effectively manage teams and projects
• Proven communication skills to different audiences

Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures (proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of residency and satisfactory employment screening, including a Disclosure check and two most recent references) along with 3-year renewals of Disclosure checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

How to apply

If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application via our website. Please ensure you attach an up-to-date CV and statement of suitability answering all points of the person specification. Applications will close at 5pm on Sunday 30th November and we are unable to accept late applications. Interviews are planned for week commencing 8th December.

We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme. Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.

If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview. Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

We are currently operating mostly digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing). We have moved to a hybrid working model of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office and the rest working from home.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Contract: 2-year rolling

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

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

Reporting to: Policy & Advocacy Advisor

The organisation  

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

The Initiative:    

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

The Role: 

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

You:

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

Responsibilities:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Experience:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Skills:

• Project management and reporting.

• Networking and relationship management

• Ability to perform research and report writing 

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.

• Grant Proposal Writing. 

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

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

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

• Ability to multitask and prioritise workload over short time frames

• Knowledge of foreign languages is desired but not mandatory.

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

Qualifications:

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

• Ability to work remotely and travel internationally

Benefits

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Possibility to work compressed hours 

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme via HealthAssured

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

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

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

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

Closing date: 9am on Monday 24th November

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

Woman’s Trust is a leading, specialist mental health charity supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2026, we stand at a powerful moment of growth and transformation. Each year, our trauma-informed, women-led services provide life-changing counselling, therapeutic support and advocacy to women and children across London. Our ambition is to scale this work to reach many more nationally. With a dedicated team of 45 staff, a strong financial foundation and annual income of £1.3m and a deeply committed Board of Trustees, we are poised to shape an ambitious new strategy for the years ahead.

We are now seeking an inspirational Chief Executive Officer to lead Woman’s Trust into this next chapter. This is a rare opportunity to guide a respected organisation whose work is not only transformative but often life-saving. The CEO will steer our strategic and operational development, strengthen and expand partnerships, grow sustainable income, and champion our voice across policy, public campaigns and mental health advocacy. Alongside a dedicated and collaborative team and Board, you will play a vital role in delivering and developing innovative services—supporting women and children, survivors navigating the justice system, and peer-led support groups—ensuring we remain responsive to the needs and experiences of those we serve.

We are seeking an inspirational and experienced people leader who combines strategic thinking with the ambition needed to position Woman’s Trust for growth. Confident in representing your organisation at a policy and advocacy level, you will act as a powerful ambassador for survivors’ mental health, influencing systems, shaping debate and strengthening our public voice. With strong financial and governance insight and the ability to build trusted, values-driven relationships across sectors, you will model a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement. Above all, you will uphold our feminist, inclusive and survivor-centred values, nurturing an empowering and equitable culture for our staff, volunteers, partners, and—most importantly—the women and children we serve.

To read more about the opportunity and our work, including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief.

If you have the passion, clarity and commitment to champion the mental health and wellbeing of women and children survivors—and the leadership to guide Woman’s Trust into a bold new era—we would be delighted to hear from you.

Closing Date: 21 December 2025

People Beyond Profit Screening Conversations: 22 December - 6 January 2026

Woman’s Trust Panel Interviews:

· First Stage (online): 14 January 2026

· Second Stage (in-person): 21 January 2026

Please note:

This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.