Research and policy officer jobs in belfast

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As one of the largest federated charities in the UK, with arguably greater reach into the lives of families and educational settings than any other non-Government organisation, Parentkind is on a bold and urgent mission: to support, champion, and empower parents to be partners in their children’s education and wellbeing. To help deliver this, Parentkind's fundraising efforts helped grow Parentkind's income from £1.5m to £10m (including in-kind donations) between 2022 and 2024.

Although best known for our support of almost 24,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Councils, and Schools, helping them build strong school communities whilst they raise over £130 million each year to enhance children’s education, our work stretches far beyond the school gates. Parentkind is building a powerful movement that recognises parental engagement not as a nicety, but a necessity.

In recent years, families have faced a series of compounding challenges: the cost-of-living crisis, rising child poverty, and deepening educational inequality. These pressures have left many parents struggling to meet basic needs—let alone feel confident engaging in their child’s learning journey.  Parentkind has responded to this moment with compassion, agility and purpose, through a series of transformative campaigns, resources, and partnerships. Our recent transformational journey has seen Parentkind’s network grow by more than 70% of schools, and the income Parentkind has delivered both for itself and for its members by more than 550%. 

Our No Cold Child initiative, launched with FatFace, stepped in to address a stark statistic: over 150,000 children in the UK do not own a winter coat due to poverty. Through our trusted relationships with schools, we distributed 10,000 warm, high-quality coats worth £600,000 to the children who needed them most. Shortlisted for two Business Charity Awards, the campaign has been praised not just for providing warmth, but for restoring dignity, inclusion, and school readiness to thousands of children.

Our collaboration with Asda on Cashpot for Schools is another example of unlocking support at scale. This innovative community-led funding model allows shoppers to nominate and fund their local schools simply through everyday spending. In just the last year, this campaign has generated £5.78 million for schools—supporting everything from basic classroom supplies to vital extracurricular programmes and pupil wellbeing initiatives. Also shortlisted for a Business Charity Award, it is already a model for community-driven philanthropy.

Meanwhile, our All Dressed Up campaign—developed with World Book Day and Rubies Masquerade—confronted the often-overlooked issue of financial exclusion on key celebration days. More than 100,000 free dressing up costumes worth £1.34 million were delivered to children from low-income families. By enabling participation in events like World Book Day, we helped spark imagination, joy, and belonging for children who might otherwise feel left out—boosting self-esteem and supporting a positive connection to learning.

Alongside these national campaigns, Parentkind supports families year-round through a growing suite of programmes designed to inform, prepare and empower parents. Our Be School Ready programme offers crucial guidance and confidence to parents preparing their children for the leap into primary education. With a mix of practical advice, developmental tips, and reassurance, through the distribution of 135,000 copies of Be School Ready and an online campaign, it supports families at one of the most formative moments in their child’s life.

We also deliver a wide-ranging series of live expert webinars and parent-friendly resources, covering topics such as managing anxiety, supporting special educational needs, navigating school transitions, and building home-school partnerships. These resources—developed in consultation with experts and rooted in lived parent experience—equip families to feel informed and empowered, no matter what challenges arise.

This month, we launched our Parent-Friendly Schools Accreditation Programme, designed to formally recognise schools that go above and beyond in fostering positive, inclusive relationships with parents. The accreditation celebrates schools that actively listen to parent voices, make engagement easy and accessible, and embed family partnership in their culture. It is a practical and inspiring tool to drive long-term change in the sector and offers a roadmap for schools wanting to strengthen their community.

Our work is grounded in evidence. Every year, we conduct the UK’s largest parental engagement study: the National Parent Survey. In 2024, over five thousand parents participated, providing invaluable insight into what families think about the education system. The findings are fed directly into government consultations and have already influenced national debates on school funding, attendance, mental health support, SEND provision, and curriculum reform. We believe passionately that parents must not be the missing voice in education policy—and we work tirelessly to ensure their views shape the decisions that affect their children’s lives.

Today, through Parentkind’s federated network of more than 130,000 parent and teacher volunteers, our work impacts the lives of millions of parents, carers, teachers and children throughout the UK through our membership, programmes, advocacy and campaigns. But we know we can—and must—do more.

We’re looking for someone with passion, purpose, and creativity—someone who understands that a warm coat, a World Book Day costume, or a parent’s voice at the table can all be catalysts for lifelong change.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing Fundraising Team and play a leading role in shaping a brand-new trust fundraising programme from the ground up. We’re looking for someone with experience in securing income from trusts and foundations—someone who’s a confident communicator, both in writing and in person, and who brings a curious and strategic mindset to prospect research.

You’ll help craft compelling cases for support and develop a portfolio of proposals and reports that showcase the impact of our work—amplifying the voices of parents and schools and demonstrating how Parentkind is driving positive change. Strong attention to detail is essential, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

If you believe, like we do, that when parents matter, children succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll have:

• Proven experience in trust and statutory fundraising, securing five- and six-figure grants.
• Demonstrable success in developing compelling proposals and reports for funders.
• Strong relationship management skills with a track record of stewarding long-term partnerships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey impact effectively.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Knowledge of the education, family support, or community development sectors.

You’ll get:

• To join a fast-moving charity with an exciting future
• To build your own team, playing a key role in driving forward the charity’s strategy and shaping our fundraising activity
• Remote working full-time with a great online team culture
• 25 days holiday in addition to UK public holidays.

How to apply

A full candidate pack is attached on this listing. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter outlining your motivations for applying for the role and how you meet the Person Specification.

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis via video conference.

Parentkind is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and we ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and equally.  We would be grateful if you would complete the equal opportunities monitoring questions when applying online to help us check that we are carrying out our policy of equal opportunities for all people.  The information will be kept confidential and will be separate from your application.  It will have no bearing on your application.

Parentkind is committed to meeting the needs of applicants with disabilities.  Please let us know if you require any adjustments to your application or interview process.

We have an exciting opportunity for a new member of staff to join Transport for All and support the delivery of our vision: Transport Justice for All Disabled People. 

This role will lead on securing income from trusts and foundations for our projects and programmes. You will help to ensure that Transport for All remains financially sustainable, and can grow to meet the needs of our community. You’ll also drive cross-organisational use of the CRM database.

Importantly, you’ll understand how to communicate about a Disabled People’s Organisation without our community being stereotyped as ‘inspirational’ or ‘vulnerable’ – taking a social model approach and aligning with our organisational values. 

We’re looking for someone with experience of broad-base fundraising, significant success in trusts and foundations fundraising, and skills and experience in databases. 

About Transport for All

Transport for All is the disabled-led group breaking down barriers and transforming the transport system so disabled people can make the journeys we want, with freedom, dignity, ease and confidence. We work with our members to campaign for change, influencing governments, industry and the public.

Your responsibilities

1. Fundraising strategy (10% of time)

· Work with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to set and deliver the fundraising strategy.

· Work across teams to identify opportunities to create projects and seek funding.

· Ensure all fundraising activities comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

· Report regularly to the Finance Committee and Board.

2. Trust and foundations fundraising (60% of time)

· Work with the Senior Leadership Team to identify projects and core costs for funding and develop realistic budgets.

· Craft compelling applications to secure funding.

· Develop and maintain strong relationships with key funders.

· Work across teams to ensure continuation funding for existing projects and costs where needed.

· Manage grants from existing trusts and foundations, ensuring grant requirements are met, and reports are on time, accessible and demonstrate impact.

· Manage the trusts and foundations pipeline, keeping up to date records at all times.

3. Database management (20% of time)

· Ensure the CRM supports funding monitoring purposes and staff can use it for this purpose.

· Continually champion and develop the CRM so that it is accessible to all staff and meets the requirements of all teams.

· Work with the Communications and Engagement team to put in place good stewardship of members, advice service users and other contacts via the CRM.

· Put in place supporter journeys that provide excellent stewardship.

4. Wider fundraising (10% of time)

· Explore, test and evaluate wider fundraising opportunities. This could include appeals, corporate fundraising, events, individual giving and legacy giving.

· Support the Training, Research and Consultancy team with bid and proposal writing on an ad hoc basis.

5. General (at all times)

· Undertake any other tasks, duties or projects which may arise from time to time which are in line with the general level of this post and as instructed.

· Undertake occasional evening and weekend work as required, and take responsibility for arranging time off in lieu with your manager.

· Line manage and supervise members, contractors and staff as required.

· Work within the Social Model of Disability.

· Work in adherence to Transport for All’s values and staff policies.

· Maintain confidentiality.

· Attend staff meetings as needed.

Skills

We’re looking for someone who:

· Has experience of fundraising, particularly from trusts and foundations, preferably including significant, multi-year grants

· Has strong research skills and enjoys identifying funders and their priorities

· Can construct realistic budgets and work with colleagues to craft project proposals

· Has a track record of securing funds for social justice causes

· Has excellent persuasive, value-based communication skills, both written and verbal

· Understands data protection and fundraising compliance and good practice

· Understands the potential for a good CRM to add value, and is confident about helping other team members to use a database to help their work

· Can manage a mixed workload with conflicting priorities

· Has strong organisational and time management skills

· Has a commitment to and understanding of the social model of disability, and disability justice

We particularly welcome applicants from disabled people. This explicitly includes those of us who are Deaf, neurodivergent, chronically ill, have a mental health condition, have age-related impairments, and people with both visible and non-visible impairments.

Caseworker (Thames Valley) 

Hours: Full time – 36.25 hours per week worked over five days, between the hours of 8am–6pm 

Contract length: 12 months fixed term contract with the possibility of extension depending on funding 

Salary: £26,000

Location: To cover the Thames Valley area – candidates must live in the Thames Valley. 

Working pattern: Remote work with frequent travel required. You will be expected to deliver a face-to-face service to clients in their own home or safe meeting place within the Thames Valley area. 

Deadline for applications: 23rd May 2025 (we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications)

Interviews to be conducted: Early June 

Start date in role: Late June / early July 

Rare opportunity: Help those affected by road crashes and create lasting change with Brake, the renowned road safety charity. 

Who we are: Brake has been supporting victims of road carnage since 1995, and we're on a mission to prevent future collisions. Every 20 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads, impacting lives profoundly. 

Join our team: We're expanding our National Road Victim Service and need a dedicated caseworker to join our dynamic, compassionate team. Your role will involve delivering world-class support services to those at their most vulnerable. 

Not your average job: This isn't a 9 to 5. You could play a significant part in rolling out trauma-informed support services nationwide. Make a real difference in the lives of those affected by road crashes. 

What we offer: 

• A generous 35 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and 3-day shutdown period between Christmas and New Year, pro-rata for part-time working patterns) 

• Birthday day off 

• Enhanced sick pay and compassionate leave 

• Death in service benefit 

• Pension 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Flexible working 

• A rewarding role with purpose 

• Be part of a skilled, friendly team with an engaged Board of Trustees  

Who you are: We need passionate, self-starters with a background in providing high-quality emotional support and advocacy. Your experience in roles within the police, criminal justice, counselling, caseworker or health and social care sectors could make you an ideal candidate.

Specifically seeking candidates with: 

• frontline support service experience 

• a full, clean UK driving licence, access to your own transport and are willing to use it for work purposes (we reimburse travelling expenses) 

• Candidates must be resident in the Thames Valley area 

• experience supporting people who have suffered sudden bereavement or working with those with heightened vulnerabilities. 

• research and advocacy skills – you will reach out to other organisations to support your cases where required 

• competent IT skills for remote work 

Join our mission: Your greatest reward will be knowing you've made a positive difference in someone's recovery from psychological trauma. 

About us: Brake is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We welcome your application whatever your background or situation. We particularly welcome applications from those who are part of the global majority, the LGBTQIA+ community or disabled. We are proud to be a disability confident employer. We don’t want you to ‘fit’ our culture, we want you to enrich it. So, if you have a passion for making a difference and share in our vision for a world where no one is killed on our roads, we would love to hear from you. 

Apply now: If you're up for a new challenge and have the skills, apply now. 

Not for traffic offenders: Due to the nature of our work we can't accept applications from traffic offenders. Candidates will be asked to disclose whether they have any unspent points on their licence at interview. 

A DBS check is required due to the sensitive nature of our service. 

Join us today and be part of the solution!  

Location: Home-based in the UK, with regular national and international travel

Contract: 2 years with the possibility of extension dependent on funding.

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Salary: £65,000 to £70,000.

Additional benefits: 25 days annual leave plus public holidays (annual leave increasing by 1 extra day for every years’ service up to 30 days total), life assurance and access to an employee assistance programme.

WeProtect Global Alliance will not be responding to expressions of interest or applications sent by third parties (agencies, brokers or recruitment specialists).

We require a highly skilled and motivated individual who has strong ethical standards and demonstrable commitment to our values to help grow, oversee, retain and actively engage the WeProtect Global Alliance to collaborate, advocate and  members and collectively work together to deliver our vision of a world where children and young people can access and participate in the digital world free from harm, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

The successful candidate will demonstrate considerable professional experience in a comparable role and a genuine passion for child protection. They will have a strong track record in developing, harnessing and deploying a diverse community of practice to develop real world solutions to make the digital world safer for children and young people across the globe.

Politically, commercially and financially astute, you will have a broad range of skills. You will be able to grow, activate and develop deep connections to nurture, harness and activate our alliance members to deliver our global mission and strategic objectives in a period where we are developing our new Strategy.

You will relish the opportunity to lead and support our member alliance, which currently comprises a broad range of high profile and influential representatives drawn from government, multi and bilateral agencies, global tech communities, NGO and advocacy groups, to focus on delivering real world solutions to often sensitive issues where competing views, political opinions and priorities can make seeking a resolution a challenge.

You will be comfortable supporting our Members Team and Alliance member community to ensure we remain relevant, responsive and impactful in an increasingly polarised political landscape as we enter the fourth industrial revolution. 

You will be able to focus on both the detail and the bigger picture in a complex landscape and be an inspirational and supportive team player who will live our values, shine confidently as a key member of the senior management team, be a role model to our brilliant secretariat workforce and an ambassador when engaging with members and external partners.

If leading, growing and getting the best out of a global community, combined with our mission of making the digital world free of harm for children and young people, motivate you to come to work and give your best every day, then this is the place for you and we cannot wait to welcome you!

About WeProtect Global Alliance 

The online world was not created with children in mind and can be unsafe for children and young people to explore. Every phone and computer is a potential gateway for offenders seeking to sexually exploit children. Our Alliance generates political commitment and practical approaches to make the digital world safe and positive for children, preventing sexual abuse and long-term harm.

Our Alliance’s geographical reach is unprecedented: 103 governments are members along with 82 private sector companies, 126 civil society organisations and 10 intergovernmental organisations. This diverse membership is key to our ability to deliver real change. Together, we break down complex problems and develop policies and solutions to protect children from sexual abuse online. More information on who we are and what we do can be found on the WeProtect Global Alliance website.

WeProtect Global Alliance is supported by a high-performing secretariat of eleven staff based in the UK and Belgium and is overseen by an influential Global Policy Board that the Head of Strategy will work collaboratively with to ensure the Alliance members remain impact and child centred.

Job description

Overall purpose of role

As the WeProtect Global Alliance Head of Members, you will grow and lead our capability and capacity to harness and grow our global alliance network to guide and drive the implementation of our Strategy and mission targets. This role requires an organised, driven, and people-oriented leader with deep and global connections in the child protection field. 

Your team will develop and deliver an elevated approach to managing a diverse community of members, supporting the Alliance maximise our impact on the global stage, support and advise the Management Board, Executive Team, Head of Strategy and Head of Development on the best ways to harness our Alliance community to respond to a rapidly evolving operational landscape and navigate key strategic decisions.

You will also work closely with the Head of Strategy and Head of Development to support the development of new ways of working to understand our collective impact and ensure our secretariat, members and broader organization actively remain relevant and focused on delivering our mission and strategic objectives. 

You will grow the capabilities and lead the WeProtect Global Alliance members work, with key accountability for the following outcomes:

· Work with the Executive Team, Management Board and Policy Board to develop, secure buy-in and implement a members strategy, operational and action plans to harness our diverse community to deliver the existing and forthcoming WeProtect Global Alliance Strategy and delivery targets.

· Collaborate with the Head of Strategy, the Head of Development and MEL lead to collectively build, maintain and oversee our theory of change and broader operational model to ensure we effectively harness and activate our member community to have real world impact on the lives of children and young people.

· Build the capability and capacity of the organisation to remain truly member led, build and manage the Members Team to pro-actively deliver a portfolio of work that will raise the profile of our mission and shift the needle on governmental, public and private sector agencies approaches to child protection and safety in the digital world. This includes overseeing and leading the Alliance’s Reference Groups and working collaboratively with the Executive Team and Head of Strategy to co-lead our work in international fora (most notably the WeProtect Global Summit).

· Build and maintain meaningful engagement with a broad range of members from across the public, private and third sector (including government agencies, advocacy communities, specialist tech and civil society organisations) across the globe to deliver the WeProtect Global Alliance strategic mission.

· Play an active role in building the operational resilience, financial sustainability and compliance capability and capacity of the Secretariat to provide a world class service to our members and Board to ensure WeProtect Global Alliance remains focused on creating a world where children and young people can access and participate in the digital world free from harm, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

Key Responsibilities

1. To lead the Members team to strengthen the WeProtect Global Alliance member’s portfolios by developing, securing buy-in and implementing the organisations member strategy, operating, governance model, plans, success indicators and internal capabilities to harness the power of our members to achieve our mission and vision in line with our core values.

2. To be a thought leader, keep abreast of external trends and developments and changing circumstances to ensure the WeProtect Global Alliance Member Strategy remains relevant, targeted and focused on improving outcomes for children and young people in a rapidly changing legislative, operational and technology landscape.

3. To be accountable for member services, outreach, growth, governance and cross organisational projects and work streams.  This includes planning and organising relevant performance and delivery areas, being mindful of cross-cutting impacts and priorities.

4. To ensure the continuous development and effective delivery of the WeProtect Global Alliance Member’s Strategy in a fast paced, politically sensitive and rapidly changing external environment, including participating in and leading (where relevant) annual business planning, forecasting, setting, monitoring, reviewing and reporting on budgets and relevant donor requirements to support effective decision making throughout the year.

5. To provide exemplary leadership and line management to staff, including appraisals, supervision, team meetings, delegating, managing, engaging, developing and supporting staff to be the best they can be and achieve our strategic objectives in accordance with our vision and values.

6. Lead and develop effective working relationships with external partners, stakeholders, members and staff to maximise the collective impact of WeProtect Global Alliance (governmental, public, private, civil society and advocacy communities).

7. To take accountability for preparing papers, reports and presentations for internal and external meetings including senior management meetings, executive team, trustee, board and reference groups meetings. To attend, chair, and contribute to meetings, briefings, reviews, due diligence and auditing and compliance activities.

8. Represent the Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer at internal and external events, share peer responsibility for problem solving challenges, creating a ‘one team’ approach to delivery and deputising were appropriate.

9. To be an ambassador, spokesperson and representative of WeProtect Global Alliance Secretariat at external events.

Expectations

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) you will also have a pivotal role to play in supporting and improving the organisation’s effectiveness as we develop the WeProtect Global Alliance’s new strategy, operating model and ways of working to ensure we remain effective, responsive and relevant in an increasingly complex and fast-moving technological landscape.

As a global, multi-sector alliance, ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is embedded in everything we do is a critical priority. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to be impactful and effective.  We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equality in physical and mental health for all.

1. To attend and contribute to meetings, training and other events as required.

2. To actively participate in our supervision and appraisal process.

3. To ensure that all responsibilities and activities within this post are delivered in accordance with WeProtect Global Alliance core values and relevant corporate, organisational, financial and compliance policies.

4. To travel to meetings and fora which may require the need to work unsociable hours e.g. attending evening or weekend meetings.

5. To adhere to relevant legal and statutory requirements including Data Protection Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act.

To use WeProtect Global Alliance resources responsibly.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

Experience

1. Significant senior experience and demonstrable record leading and growing a diverse global membership and/or partnership alliance function and/or service to deliver an ambitious child centred mission on the global stage.

2. Outstanding leadership and team management experience, including experience coaching and line managing direct reports.

3. Demonstrable effective influencing and negotiation skills and political judgment with a proven track record building productive and impactful professional relationship and partnerships with a wide range of individuals and organisations.

4. Demonstrable experience leading change and transformation with demonstrable qualities as a change agent. 

5. Demonstrable senior management level experience in project management, financial, donor and budget management, monitoring, evaluation and lesson learning across the fields of strategy, research and policy.

6. Significant experience commissioning high quality, high value research and policy projects and able to demonstrate the use of insights in long term planning and impact frameworks.

Skills

1. Outstanding communication skills and ability to effectively engage and build meaningful relationships with internal and external staff and stakeholders at all levels.

2. Outstanding self-management skills to work independently, autonomously and as part of a team, using own initiative and being flexible and adaptable to deliver as ‘one team’.

3. Excellent IT, project management, financial management and donor engagement skills.

4. Demonstrable excellent planning and organisation skills to deliver work to agreed timescales and standards.

Knowledge

1. Knowledge and understanding of WeProtect Global Alliance mission, vision, values and ambition and how it applies to this post.

2. Knowledge and understanding of a child centred approach to participation, advocacy and EDI and how it applies to this post, with a focus on embedding effective policies and processes.

3. Awareness of global child protection policies and procedures within the digital arena and a genuine passion for child protection.

Other

1. A willingness to travel and work unsocial hours (time in lieu can be claimed)

2. Commitment to your own continuing professional and personal development

3. To uphold high standards of work, standards and conduct in line with WeProtect Global Alliance values.

Diversity, inclusion and equity

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community, regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation. We particularly welcome applicants from ethnic minorities and other under-represented groups. 

Safeguarding and values

As a child-focused organisation, we have a strong commitment to child safeguarding and rigorous procedures. The successful candidate will be required to provide two referees and to undergo a criminal record check. 

All staff are expected to act at all times in a manner consistent with our values and in compliance with our policies and procedures, including our Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

Our values are: 

· Empowerment – collaboration, innovation, challenge

· Accountability – responsibility, delivery, safeguarding

· Respect – honesty, feedback, inclusion