Researcher jobs in cardiff
The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Local Quality Manager to join our Youth Work Innovation & Development Team.
Contract: 12 months fixed term
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £44,473 per annum
Remote: This role is homebased (within the UK) with occasional travel for staff residentials and other events.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
About the Role
Responsibilities will include:
- Lead delivery of key Local Offer programmes, such as our successful Peer Review and Peer Network Programme, which are designed to support Local Authorities and organisations in meeting the needs of young people and in the case of Local Authorities meet their Statutory Duty (section 507B).
- Manage the delivery of traded services relating to Quality Standards and Organisational Development.
- Manage and regularly update both existing and new online resources related to Quality Standards, ensuring consistency and standardisation across all materials.
- Collaborate with the National Curriculum and Learning Manager to influence the youth work curriculum and share learning and insight from programmes
- Work collaboratively with the Youth Investment Fund Programme Manager to inform and develop Quality Standards.
- Work with Local Policy & Partnerships Manager and the NYA Knowledge Team to develop sector insights and to share learning and knowledge across NYA teams and the youth work sector.
- Collaborate with Local Authorities and partner organisations to promote awareness and encourage participation in NYA programmes and Quality Standards.
- Utilise NYA tools, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Project Management systems, to generate timely and relevant performance and financial reports that support informed decision making and effective programme delivery. Experience of using project management platform (or similar) would be an advantage.
- Provide line-management and support to peers and officers as required.
Our ideal Local Quality Improvement Manager should have the following:
- Extensive experience working directly with young people across diverse settings, demonstrating a deep understanding of youth development and engagement.
- Demonstrated expertise managing youth work programmes and improving practice standards, including within Local Authority contexts.
- Proven experience in assessing youth work against established standards and implementing quality assurance processes for effective management, delivery, and evaluation.
- Comprehensive knowledge and experience in embedding best practices in youth voice, participation, and leadership within services and programmes.
- Strong understanding of the current challenges facing Local Authorities and youth sector organisations, and the implications for young people’s needs and service delivery.
- Ability to analyse complex organisational and Local Authority structures, reflect critically, and articulate clear recommendations for improvement and recognition of effective practice.
- Excellent organisational and leadership skills, with experience supporting and managing peers and officers in a collaborative environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate teams and work effectively with partners and stakeholders.
- Proven experience in project management, with a proactive, self-starting approach and a strong focus on solutions and outcomes.
- Resilient, flexible, and ambitious, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and maintain high standards.
- Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of work.
- Confident in using modern Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, project management tools, and online learning platforms. Experience of using project management platform (or similar) would be an advantage.
Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.
Why Work for NYA?
NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
How to Apply:
Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements.
To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Friday 18th July 2025:
A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.
Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
More about us
Discover more about the National Youth Agency and our work on our website.
Youth Work changes lives.
Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.
We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.
REF-222460
Thank you!
The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Local Quality Advisor to join our Youth Work Innovation & Development Team.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £37,826 per annum
Remote: This role is homebased (within the UK) with occasional travel for staff residentials and other events.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
About the Role
Responsibilities will include:
- Support the Local Quality and Improvement Manager in delivering key Local Offer programmes, such as the Peer Review and Peer Network Programme, helping Local Authorities and organisations meet the needs of young people and fulfil their Statutory Duty (Section 507B).
- Assist in the coordination and delivery of traded services related to Quality Standards and Organisational Development, ensuring high-quality support for partners.
- Contribute to the development, quality assurance, and standardisation of NYA resources related to Quality Standards, working collaboratively across NYA teams.
- Promote NYA standards and resources to the sector, offering support and training to encourage adoption and effective use.
- Identify and deliver support to non-commercial requests, including those from VCSE organisations and Town and Parish Councils seeking information, advice, and guidance.
- Engage with the Local Policy & Partnerships Manager and the NYA Knowledge Team to gather and share sector insights, promoting knowledge exchange across NYA teams and the wider youth work sector.
- Support collaboration with Local Authorities and partner organisations to raise awareness of NYA programmes and encourage engagement with Quality Standards.
- Utilise NYA tools, including CRM and Project Management systems, to help generate timely and relevant performance and financial reports that inform decision-making and support effective programme delivery.
Our ideal Local Quality Advisor should have the following:
- Demonstrated experience supporting the delivery of programmes or projects within the youth work, education, or voluntary sector.
- Strong understanding of youth work principles and the statutory duties of Local Authorities (particularly Section 507B).
- Ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including Local Authorities, partner organisations, and internal teams.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to contribute to the development of resources and reports.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work.
- Strong time management skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Competence in using digital tools such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and project management platforms. Experience of using project management platform (or similar) would be an advantage
- A proactive, flexible, and agile approach to working across multiple programmes, including attending events and responding to time-sensitive deadlines.
- Willingness to learn, adapt, and grow in a dynamic and evolving organisation.
Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.
Why Work for NYA?
NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
How to Apply:
Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements
To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Friday 18th July 2025:
A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.
Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
More about us
Discover more about the National Youth Agency and our work on our website.
Youth Work changes lives
Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.
We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.
REF-222459
Thank you!
Are you an accomplished and innovative leader with a proven track record, looking for a unique opportunity to dedicate one day a week to something genuinely exciting and impactful? Do you have extensive experience in the charity or related sectors and a desire to apply your strategic thinking and networks to drive forward pioneering initiatives?
The Good Faith Foundation is seeking an experienced and visionary individual to join the foundation on a part-time basis as a Charity Development Lead. This is not a standard development role; it's designed for someone with significant expertise who wants to contribute strategically and drive innovation within the Foundation. The successful candidate will help the foundation explore new avenues and shape the future direction of our work on specific, high-impact projects.
This role offers:
- A unique opportunity to apply your wealth of experience to exciting, innovative projects with genuine potential for impact.
- The chance to work strategically on complex societal challenges with significant autonomy.
- The opportunity to make a significant impact on society's most difficult problems with a limited time commitment.
- The chance to collaborate with experienced professionals dedicated to social change at a national strategic level.ch
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
About Chapter One
Chapter One is a dynamic, growing charity with a vision of a world in which all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive. Our mission is to close the reading gap by providing children with one-to-one support at the time they need it most.
Our unique Online Reading Volunteer programme currently supports around 3,000 children a year. It pairs disadvantaged, struggling five to eight-year old (KS1) readers with reading support volunteers who come from over 140 local and national businesses. The volunteer ask is very focused: readers commit 30 minutes a week to read with a child using a bespoke digital platform for an entire academic year. The results are transformative, boosting children's reading confidence and ability.
For more information about our programmes please visit our website. Please also take some time to visit our social media channels and watch our videos.
About the Role
The Human Resources (HR) & Administrative Assistant will provide support to the CEO, Line Managers and the wider team with a range of HR related and administrative tasks. They will work remotely and will need to have access to a reliable internet connection. They will report to the CEO.
This role is ideal for someone who wishes to pursue a career in HR, and Chapter One is willing to support the postholder to gain external qualifications. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and the post-holder must be permanently based in the UK at the time of applying and for the duration of their employment.
All Chapter One employees are required to attend quarterly in-person staff meetings held in various locations across the UK (all expenses covered); participation is mandatory.
Main duties will include:
HR Administration and Data Management
-
Maintain accurate and up to date HR records on Chapter One systems
-
Be the in-house expert on Breathe, Chapter One’s HR system
-
Lead on data entry and HR system (Breathe HR) management, including generating relevant reports to support staff management and key decision making
-
Monitor and track training and DBS records ensuring timely renewals in line with Chapter One’s policies
-
Assist with documenting and maintaining HR process and workflows
-
Ensure employee documents are stored correctly and confidentially
Organisational Policies and HR Procedures
-
Working with the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to create, update and disseminate relevant Charity policies and/or updates to the staff handbook
-
Prepare standard HR letters and documents (contracts, change letters)
-
Lead on the liaison with and promotion of the organisations Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured EAP)
-
Create process guides for staff in collaboration with Line Managers and the CEO
-
Act as a first point of support for HR-related queries from managers, escalating to the CEO when needed
-
Liaise with Chapter One’s external HR advice provider when additional expertise is required
-
Proactively identify opportunities to streamline and improve HR administrative processes and procedures
Recruitment, Onboarding and Offboarding
-
Support managers through the entirety of the recruitment process for staff and trustees - including, but not limited to, advertising vacancies, organising applications, arranging interviews, monitoring interview tasks, coordinating assessments, collecting candidate documents, requesting references
-
Managing the onboarding process for all new staff, including, but not limited to, holding HR induction meetings, coordinating new starter paperwork, setting probation review dates and training
-
Work with Line Managers to organise induction plans, schedule introductory meetings, and ensure new starters are fully supported during their initial weeks
-
Coordinate the offboarding process for departing staff, including exit interviews, return of equipment, and removal from systems
General HR Support
-
Organise and schedule staff meetings and organisation-wide training sessions
-
Coordinate wellbeing and employee engagement activities, including, but not limited to annual surveys, staff away days, seasonal events
-
Plan and coordinate in-person meeting logistics, including venue booking, accommodation, equipment and refreshments, ensuring all arrangements are inclusive and appropriately tailored to staff needs
-
Work with the SLT to be a champion of Chapter One’s values, and a custodian of its supportive work culture
-
Communicate instructions and other messages to Line Managers and staff clearly and promptly on behalf of the CEO
-
Support with preparation for audits or compliance checks e.g. Right to Work, DBS
-
Provide HR support to staff working groups e.g. Wellbeing or Learning and Development
-
Attend external HR webinars (eg with DOHR or Breathe) and disseminate information to the CEO & Line Managers as required
-
Stay informed of relevant employment law updates, notifying the CEO of possible changes needed to policies or procedures
-
Support general organisational administration as needed, such as scheduling key meetings, maintaining registers or documentation, or assisting with regulatory filings
-
Assist the CEO & Line Managers with additional HR and administrative/organisational tasks, assigned at the discretion of the CEO
We are looking for applicants with the following essential qualities:
-
Educated to A-level standard or equivalent
-
A genuine interest in Chapter One, with a passion for the work we do
-
Experience in a similar HR role
-
Proficient in use of Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets and Google Workspace
-
Excellent written and oral communication skills
-
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with colleagues at all levels
-
Thoughtful, compassionate and inclusive approach to interpersonal relationships
-
Self-motivated and proactive, with a problem-solving mindset
-
Goal-oriented team-player who also thrives working independently
-
Meticulous eye for detail, who takes pride in holding themself to the highest standards in all aspects of their work
-
Professional, discreet and able to handle confidential information
-
Working knowledge of HR functions
The best applicants will also have the following desirable qualities:
-
Experience of working in the charity/non-profit sector
-
A desire to develop a career in HR
-
A qualification in HR, e.g. CIPD Level 3, or working towards one
Interview Dates:
1st round interviews - Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd July
2nd round interviews - Monday 28th July
Chapter One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of teams we are building. Literacy is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to maximise our innovation, creativity and impact. We especially welcome applications from individuals who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation.
Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request
Please provide a CV and a covering letter (max 1 side of A4). Your letter must include:
1) A summary of your relevant experience, including clear examples.
2) Either: Tell us about a time when you helped onboard a new team member - what steps did you take to ensure they felt welcomed and prepared?
OR Tell us about a time when you identified an opportunity to improve an administrative process or system.
3) Tell us about how our organisational mission aligns with your values.
Applications that fail to meet these criteria will automatically be discounted. We want you to have every opportunity to shine and to show us your talents - please let us know if there is anything we can do to make sure the assessment process works for you.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
At Chapter One, we want to create a world where all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.