Senior data executive jobs in Edinburgh

Introduction to Action Duchenne:

Action Duchenne supports, empower and equip every Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy community in their journey from diagnosis and beyond.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a muscle wasting condition for which there is no cure, but we journey alongside communities to empower them and provide information for them to make informed decisions. Action Duchenne has a team of passionate, supportive staff who are keen to do more for families living with Duchenne, and has a number of staff with direct lived experience.

At Action Duchenne, values are more than words—they shape how we work and interact every day. For this role, we are looking for a team member who can reflect our values:

• Supportive – Actively assist colleagues and stakeholders, fostering a culture of collaboration and reliability.
• Empathetic – Approach challenges with understanding, considering the impact on people internally and externally.
• Respectful – Ensure all communications and decisions uphold dignity and fairness, especially when handling sensitive matters.
• Community Focused – Make decisions that strengthen our community, ensuring all activity supports inclusive engagement and shared purpose.
• Inclusive – Promote accessibility and equity, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard.

Main Purpose of the Role:

To ensure the charity operates within a robust governance framework and maintains high standards of compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency. This role will lead on policy development, governance reporting, administration progression and process improvement to support strategic objectives and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Governance and Compliance
  • Maintain and update governance policies and registers, and development of Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Act as the primary liaison for Board governance matters, including preparing Board papers, ensuring timely reporting and minuting.
  • Monitor compliance with charity law, GDPR, and other regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinate annual policy reviews and ensure staff adherence.

• Risk and Audit
  • Maintain and update the organisational risk register for quarterly Board review.
  • Support internal audits and external compliance checks.
  • Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies.

• Operational Efficiency
  • Review and streamline operational processes to improve efficiency, including IT and telephony, authorisations, filing and recruitment.
  • Support budget monitoring and reporting in collaboration with Finance.
  • Oversee contract management and supplier compliance.

• Reporting and Data
  • Prepare governance and operational reports for the CEO and Board.
  • Ensure accurate documentation and record-keeping for governance purposes.
  • Be the organisation’s Data Protection Officer.
  • Minute team meetings.

NB This is not an exhaustive list, the role holder will be asked to carry out additional tasks as required for the Team’s successful service delivery. Such tasks will always be reasonable and broadly in line with current knowledge levels and skill sets.

Please find the job description below. You can apply on our website, and the deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 16th March 2026.

The Vacancies

We are seeking to appoint one registered medical practitioner and one business registrant (Companies Committee), one lay member (Education Committee) and one optometrist (Standards Committee) to our Advisory Panel Companies Committee.

About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance, and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website.

About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration, and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:

• matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals, Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee;
• matters relating to optical training, education, and assessment;
• matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and
• matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register.

Time Commitment and Remuneration

This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices in London or other suitable venues.

Members are paid up to £185 per meeting. This is taxable and subject to National Insurance (NI) contributions. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule.

How to apply

Please apply with the following:

• your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service, or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic, or vocational qualifications (please keep this to two sides of A4);
• the application form (attached), stating how your experience matches the essential criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
• an EDI monitoring form (linked in the candidate pack) 

Please email your completed application quoting reference GOC01/26 to appointment@optical. org.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as these are currently under-represented on our Council and committees.

For more information about these roles please download the candidate information pack attached.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight Sunday 29 March 2026.

Online interviews will be held on 14,15,18 and 19 May 2026.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, and geographical locations outside of London.

The Organisation

LawCare is the mental health charity for the legal sector, providing free, confidential emotional support and information to people working in law across the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. While our primary focus is on direct support services, we also play a leading role in advocating for improved mental health practices within legal workplaces and driving cultural transformation through education, training, and research.

Established in 1997, we have spent almost 30 years supporting legal professionals by offering a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space to talk, whether individuals are experiencing day-to-day pressures or more complex, enduring challenges. Our team of Champions, over 100 volunteers, and staff bring lived experience of the legal sector, enabling us to provide informed, empathetic support grounded in a deep understanding of the profession’s unique demands.

We serve all branches of the legal community, including barristers, solicitors, in-house teams, chartered legal executives, and business and support staff. From early-career professionals facing bullying or imposter syndrome to senior leaders managing risk, regulatory pressures, or professional  isolation, we are a trusted and independent source of support.

In addition to our direct support services - including helpline, live online chat, and email support - we provide peer support and maintain a substantial, regularly updated online library of resources, including articles, personal stories, research, and multimedia content designed to promote mental health awareness and resilience across the sector. We also deliver training on mental wellbeing, management and supervision, vicarious trauma, and the new SRA workplace behaviour standards, and offer online sessions for legal workplaces and organisations to explain the support we provide.

By combining frontline service delivery with sector-wide advocacy, LawCare is uniquely positioned at the intersection of individual wellbeing and organisational cultural change. We are supported by a strong, capable team and a committed Board of Trustees, enabling us to continue making a meaningful impact across the legal profession.

The Role

LawCare is seeking an inspiring and values-led Chief Executive to lead the charity into its next phase of development at a pivotal moment for the legal profession. As the public face and strategic leader of the organisation, the Chief Executive will champion LawCare’s mission - ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality, confidential support services while strengthening its voice and influence across a rapidly evolving and increasingly commercial mental health landscape.

This is an exciting opportunity to build on strong foundations, guiding a respected and independent charity through a period of significant sector change. Working closely with staff, volunteers, funders and partners, the Chief Executive will drive sustainable growth, deepen impact, and help shape a more compassionate and mentally healthy legal culture for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Lead delivery of LawCare’s forthcoming strategy (2026 onwards), translating vision into measurable impact.
• Ensure LawCare sharpens its positioning and messaging in a crowded mental health marketplace.
• Balance direct support services, research, education and influencing work to maximise impact.
• Identify what the charity should prioritise and where it should collaborate rather than deliver directly.

External Relations & Sector Influence

• Act as the primary ambassador and spokesperson for LawCare across the legal sector in the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with:
  • Professional bodies
  • Regulators
  • Law firms and chambers
  • Legal educators
  • Funders and charitable trusts
• Speak regularly at conferences, sector events, roundtables and award ceremonies. These are primarily London based, however, there will be occasions where representation is required across England, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
• Build alliances to influence policy, regulation and workplace practice around mental health and wellbeing.
• Position LawCare as the authoritative, evidence-informed voice on mental health in law.

Service Oversight & Quality

• Ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, confidential helpline and peer support services.
• Maintain robust safeguarding, confidentiality and data governance practices.
• Oversee volunteer recruitment, training and engagement.
• Ensure services evolve in response to emerging issues (e.g., stress, anxiety, workplace conflict, regulatory pressure, AI-related disruption).

Financial Sustainability & Governance

• Lead financial planning and sustainability, working closely with the Treasurer and Board.
• Manage relationships with core professional body funders and diversify income streams.
• Develop compelling funding cases and annual pitches to key stakeholders.
• Strengthen reserves and long-term financial resilience.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance and risk management.
• Support and work closely with the incoming Chair and a refreshed Board.

Research, Education & Prevention

• Build on the impact of the Life in the Law research programme.
• Promote preventative approaches for firms and educators.
• Strengthen LawCare’s role in vocational education and regulatory conversations.
• Ensure research informs policy influence and funding opportunities.

Organisational Leadership

• Lead, support and develop a small, experienced and fully remote team.
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, wellbeing and accountability.
• Provide clarity and reassurance during a period of leadership transition and financial strengthening.
• Ensure operational efficiency and effective use of technology in a remote environment.

The Person

LawCare is seeking a credible, strategic and values-driven leader with a deep understanding of the legal profession and the pressures shaping it today. You will bring senior leadership experience, strong commercial and financial acumen, and the ability to balance operational excellence with sector-wide influence.

An authentic and compelling ambassador for mental health and wellbeing, you will be an exceptional communicator who builds trust with ease. Emotionally intelligent, resilient and grounded, you will combine empathy with clarity and conviction, guiding the organisation confidently while remaining steadfast in your commitment to improving mental health across the legal community.

Essential

Professional Background

• Prior professional experience in the legal sector is required. Experience working in a qualified or regulated professional role is desirable.
• Deep, intrinsic understanding of the culture, pressures and structural dynamics of the profession.
• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for strategy, people and budgets.

Leadership & Influence

• Credible, visible and compelling leader with presence.
• Exceptional communicator - confident public speaker and strong writer.
• Knowledge of mental health systems, workplace wellbeing or addiction support.
• Able to influence senior stakeholders and bring sceptical audiences “on the journey.”
• A credible ambassador for mental health and wellbeing - knowledge of mental health systems, workplace wellbeing or addiction support.
• Comfortable operating at Board level.

Organisational Capacity

• Experience managing and motivating high-performing teams (ideally remote).
• Financial acumen, including budget oversight and income generation.
• Fundraising experience, particularly with trusts, foundations or membership bodies.
• Ability to balance operational delivery with strategic influence.
• Skilled at prioritisation in resource-constrained environments.

Personal Qualities

• Authentic commitment to mental health and wellbeing.
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic and values-driven.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Able to navigate sensitive conversations with discretion and diplomacy.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience working with regulators or professional bodies.
• Understanding of research commissioning or evidence-led advocacy.

Further information

For further information about LawCare, the scope of the role and the person specification, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please provide the following with your application:

• An up to date CV, with the details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission).
• A supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification, along with your motivation for applying for the role.

Closing date for applications: Monday 30th March 2026
Preliminary interviews with Russam: Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th April 2026
Interviews with LawCare: Week commencing 20th April 2026

We look forward to receiving your application.

We’re looking for an experienced Head of IT and Digital Transformation with a track record in digital project management, of implementing IT and CRM systems, and of developing digital transformation strategies.

Neotree: The Digital Learning Health System

Neotree is an award-winning digital learning health system co-designed with frontline clinicians to end preventable newborn deaths in low-resource settings. Our open-source platform integrates real-time, knowledge-based clinical decision support (CDS), structured data capture, and visual dashboards into routine neonatal care. Currently active in 18 healthcare facilities, Neotree has supported care for 60,000 newborns and trained over 3,000 health workers to date. Neotree is the only platform of its kind with a defined pathway to embed AI-enabled decision support into routine neonatal care in sub-Saharan Africa.

Neotree: The Charity

The UK charity was established by core members of the University College London (UCL) Neotree research project to maximise the impact of their research on the quality of newborn care and newborn mortality. After five years of rapid growth and proven clinical impact, Neotree is seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead our next chapter. Having evolved from an innovative research pilot into a multi-country digital health intervention, integrated into routine neonatal care in Malawi and Zimbabwe, Neotree is poised for national-scale rollout and scale up, alongside rigorous ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

The Opportunity: Impact at Scale

By 2030 the ambition is for Neotree to be a fully integrated, sustainable standard of care across Malawi and Zimbabwe, having been handed over to, and owned by, their respective Ministries of Health. The incoming Executive Director will lead this transition, shifting the organisation from a research-led implementation partner to one able to scale up a digital public good (currently a DPGA Nominee with a full submission for DPG designation under review).

While the technological landscape, and specific delivery modules, will evolve, the Executive Director will ensure Neotree remains a safe, cost-effective, equitable, and evidence-based system that is successfully embedded within national digital health infrastructures.

The Executive Director's success will be measured collaboratively, focusing on KPIs related to impact and sustainability, and they will work alongside experienced clinical, technical, and academic leads.

Location: Remote within 2-3 hours of Central Africa Time (CAT), with approximately quarterly travel (including to Malawi, Zimbabwe and the UK).

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Key Responsibilities

1. Operations, Clinical Safety & Quality Assurance

1.1. Senior Operational Oversight: Provide high-level oversight of Neotree’s operations across 18 healthcare facilities in Malawi and Zimbabwe, ensuring that the "baby-first" mission is consistently delivered on the ground.

1.2. Clinical Safety & Ethical Governance: Lead the overarching strategy for clinical safety and ethical compliance. Ensure the platform remains a safe and effective clinical tool, and that all operations comply with international data protection and health governance best practices.

1.3. Quality & Effectiveness: Oversee the continuous improvement and optimisation of the Neotree platform based on real-world feedback from frontline clinical staff, ensuring the system remains highly acceptable and trusted by healthcare professionals.

2. Management: People, Grants & Finance

2.1. International Team Leadership: Lead, oversee and inspire a multi-disciplinary, multi-country team (UK, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa), fostering a culture of agility, collaboration, and excellence.

2.2. Develop local leadership and support the growth of country-based teams, ensuring long-term sustainability through in-country capacity building.

2.3. Financial & Grant Management:

2.3.1. Provide robust oversight of the charity’s finances, including budget setting and cash flow.

2.3.2. Lead the management of complex institutional grants (e.g. FCDO, Gates Foundation), ensuring all milestones and reporting requirements are met.

2.3.3. Manage relationships with multiple downstream partners.

3. Governance & Accountability

3.1. Statutory Compliance: Lead Neotree’s reporting and compliance with the Charity Commission, HMRC, Companies House, donors and other relevant legislation. Oversee internal and external audits.

3.2. Board Development & Relations: Act as the primary link to the Board of Trustees, providing transparent reporting on risks, financial performance, and strategic progress. Work proactively with the Chair to strengthen the board, supporting its growth and ensuring its membership is representative of the diverse international contexts and communities Neotree serves.

3.3. Risk Management: Serve as the ultimate lead for organisational risk, identifying and mitigating risks to protect the charity’s reputation, clinical safety, and financial health.

3.4. Organisational & Innovation Governance: Responsible for the continuous review and implementation of all policies (HR, due diligence, safeguarding, clinical and data governance etc.). Ensure policies are legally compliant across international operations.

4. Strategy & Impact Scaling

4.1. Overall Strategy: Lead the development and execution of Neotree’s business model and strategy to scale impact globally, ensuring the sustainable growth and wider adoption of Neotree as a digital public good.

4.2. Evidence base: Work closely with Neotree’s academic team at University College London to identify and address evidence gaps, to support on Neotree research grants (e.g. NIHR, Gates Foundation), and to ensure academic insights are translated directly into clinical impact and national policy.

4.3. Tech Strategy & Interoperability: Lead the development and execution of Neotree's digital strategy. A key focus will be driving the roadmap for system interoperability to ensure Neotree is a future-proofed platform. This includes FHIR compatibility and integration with national systems, such as DHIS2 and national EHRs, to support seamless data exchange.

4.4. Fundraising Strategy: Design and deliver a diverse fundraising strategy that further moves the organisation toward financial resilience and reduced dependence on major academic grants.

4.5. Partnerships & External Relations: Serve as one of the primary ambassadors for Neotree, alongside our Principal Investigators and co-founder Professor Michelle Heys. Define priority stakeholders, and build and maintain relationships with those high-level strategic partners to drive adoption and raise Neotree’s profile.

Key Priorities for the First 12-18 Months

The new Executive Director will focus on the following key priorities during their initial 12-18 months:

1. Successful Project Delivery & Ministry of Health Partnerships. Ensure successful delivery of the projects currently in flight, in both Malawi and Zimbabwe. This includes partnerships with the Ministries of Health in both countries to build and hand over neonatal modules in their EHR systems based on Neotree, and support their successful rollout.

2. Strategic Plan Development. Develop a 3-5 year plan with the Board, academic partners, and wider project team to build on our existing foundation to expand Neotree – including addressing research gaps, using AI to improve clinical decision support, and finding ways to expand the adoption of the technology in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and beyond. Sustainability is a core part of that strategy.

3. Strategic Plan Execution. Execute on that plan, including securing funding, building partnerships, and further developing the Neotree team.

Person Specification

Personal attributes and skillset

• Overall: Values-driven, mission alignment, humility, and commitment to equitable partnership.
• Visionary Leadership: An inspiring leader who can balance day-to-day operations with a long-term strategic focus. You can articulate a clear future for Neotree that motivates an international team and aligns global partners toward making Neotree a national standard of care, ensuring every innovation remains underpinned by our "baby-first" mission.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: You must thrive in a landscape that is constantly shifting. You can pivot strategies as national digital health priorities evolve or as new technological partners emerge. You are comfortable with ambiguity and can steer the organisation through the "unknowns" of the next five+ years.
• Communication & Collaborative Mindset: You are a bridge-builder. You have a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across international borders and multidisciplinary partners, linking academic research, technical development, and frontline clinical delivery.

Experience

1. Education: Master’s degree (MSc, MPH, MBA) in a relevant field (e.g. Global Health, International Development, Digital Health).

2. Proven track record of overseeing delivery of health services and/or health interventions (ideally in low-resource settings).

3. Experience of working in partnership with Ministries of Health strengthening health systems.

4. Proven experience in scaling an organisation or a digital product / health intervention from a pilot phase to a national or regional standard.

5. Experience of leading multidisciplinary, multi-cultural teams, both in person and remotely.

6. Experience of monitoring and evaluating health programmes.

7. Experience managing complex grants, and diverse revenue streams (grants, philanthropy, or social enterprise models).

Desirable

• AI & Innovation: Understanding of the ethical and practical implications of integrating AI/Machine Learning into healthcare.
• Governance: Familiarity with UK charity governance, including reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies House.

Equal opportunities

Neotree values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities. All applicants for employment will receive equal treatment without discrimination on grounds of gender, race, ethnic or national origins, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation, or any other grounds. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates from minority ethnic backgrounds, and the low-resource settings in which we work, to ensure we have a well-balanced and widely representative staff base.

About Us

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.  

We currently have around 95 staff based in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to grow our staff team to deliver our ambitious strategy, On a mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer. 

Senior Early Diagnosis Programme Manager

The Senior Early Diagnosis Programme Manager is a key role as we develop and evolve our early diagnosis programmes at Bowel Cancer UK. The role will provide strategic and operational leadership across the charity’s awareness and engagement programmes and the new Bowel Towns programme. This role will manage a multi-disciplinary team delivering programmes that improve cancer awareness, empower communities, and drive earlier diagnosis.

In addition, as the charity’s services lead for Northern Ireland (NI), the post holder will build high-impact partnerships and develop a regional plan to enhance awareness, early detection, and support for people affected by cancer. You’ll work closely with the Head of Services and Support to ensure our early diagnosis services are impactful, inclusive, and evidence-based.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

Dig Deep is an award-winning international development charity working to secure clean water, safe sanitation and good hygiene for the one million people of Bomet County, Kenya - half of whom are children.

This is a new position, created at a pivotal moment for the charity. Over the last year, the combined turnover of Dig Deep and our trading subsidiary (Dig Deep Challenges) has grown by over 50%. Our impact, our partnerships and our responsibilities have grown with it. To sustain this progress well, we now need dedicated leadership across international finance and governance.

The Finance & Governance Manager will play a central role in making this work possible. By ensuring strong financial management, robust governance and clear reporting, you will help ensure every pound & Kenyan shilling is used well and every decision is well-informed.

This role is home-based and open to candidates living in the UK. You will work closely with colleagues across the UK and Kenya, with monthly travel for team meetings in the UK and occasional travel to our Kenyan office.

If you care about impact, value rigour, and want your work to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

ROLE SUMMARY

Organisation: Dig Deep (Africa)

Role: Finance & Governance Manager

Reporting to: Chief Executive

Key responsibilities:

• International Finance: Day-to-day international financial management of the charity and trading arm, incl. procurement, timely payment of invoices and production of management accounts
• International Governance: ensuring all statutory returns and other critical governance deadlines are met and internal governance procedures are adhered to
• Business Intelligence: developing and producing financial reports for staff leadership team and trustees
• Act as Secretary to the Board: ensure the smooth scheduling and preparation of regular board meetings
• CRM & Data Protection: Maintaining/developing CRM and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations

Contract type:

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Permanent

Salary and benefits:

• £40,000-45,000 per annum
• Mentoring, coaching and professional development support available from highly experienced trustee finance & governance committee & staff team
• 33 days annual leave (incl. Bank holidays)
• Home working with flexible hours

Location:

• Home working in UK
• Travel required once per month for team meetings in Sheffield/across Midlands/London (expenses paid)
• Possible travel required to East Africa on exceptional basis (approx. once every 2 years)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• At least 3 years of experience in finance, governance, or a closely related role
• Experience managing day-to-day financial processes, including payments, procurement and reporting
• Good understanding of governance requirements, statutory returns and board processes
• Experience producing clear financial reports for senior staff and directors
• Experience of managing audits
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Confidence managing systems, records and sensitive data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently in a home-based role
• Alignment with Dig Deep’s values and commitment to ethical practice

Desirable

• Experience of working with QuickBooks
• Experience of multi-currency accounting
• Experience working in the charity or international development sector
• Experience supporting or acting as secretary to a board or committee
• Familiarity with CRM systems and data protection compliance
• Experience working across multiple countries or jurisdictions
• Experience supporting a growing organisation through a period of change

HOW TO APPLY

We encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. If you think you could be a valuable asset to Dig Deep but are unsure about your suitability, or have any other questions, please contact us.

To apply, please attach a one-page cover letter and CV (max two sides) before 17.00 on Wednesday, 4th March 2026

First round Zoom interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday 16th March 2026

Second round in-person interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday 23rd March 2026

About GNDR

We are the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), the largest global network of organisations committed to working together to improve the lives of people affected by disasters worldwide. Since being established in 2007, we have grown into a network of over 2,000 member organisations across 130+ countries, representing millions of people on the frontlines of hazards, climate change and mass displacement. Through transformative, evidence-led programming and powerful advocacy, we are driving climate action and disaster resilience alongside our members across the globe.

About the role

GNDR is seeking a motivated and strategic leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as our new Head of Operations. 

With the launch of our 2026–2030 Global Strategy, this is a defining moment to shape how GNDR functions and ensure our global network is equipped to deliver real impact.

In this role, you will set the operational vision that underpins our strategy, ensuring our systems, people, and resources are aligned, sustainable, and future‑ready. You will lead all core operational functions, building the strong operational foundation that enables GNDR to thrive. Working closely with teams across regions, you will ensure our operations are coherent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of our members and the communities we serve.

If you’re driven by the opportunity to shape organisational excellence, strengthen global operations, and create the conditions for meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you.

Overall scope of the role

The remit of this post will cover the following core responsibilities:

• Strategic financial oversight
• Funding, grants and partnerships
• People, culture and organisational development
• Systems, logistics and IT
• Legal, risk and compliance
• Governance and board support
• Strategic leadership
• Line management and team development

Candidate requirements

We are ideally seeking candidates with:

• Expert financial stewardship, including management of grant‑funded budgets, financial controls, reporting, procurement, and supplier partnerships
• Operational and governance leadership spanning finance, HR, IT, compliance, risk, and organisational systems
• Inclusive people and culture leadership, with HR expertise and experience supporting cross‑cultural, geographically dispersed teams
• Strong digital capability, from driving digital transformation to confidently using finance, HR, and IT systems
• Strategic and organisational development skills, including planning, project oversight, risk management, and guiding teams through change
• Senior‑level strategic leadership, contributing to organisational direction and fostering effective cross‑team collaboration
• A deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and alignment with GNDR’s mission and values

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Candidates will need to be able to travel internationally when necessary. 

This role is primarily remote. We’ll ensure you have a safe and appropriate remote working setup, and we’re open to discussing flexible working arrangements as part of the recruitment process. Our hybrid working approach is currently under review, so there may be occasional in‑person meetups in London in the future, subject to ongoing consultation.

Please note that all offers of employment at GNDR are conditional and subject to satisfactory background checks.

We encourage applications from people who meet most of the essential criteria listed in the job description below. You don’t need to tick every single box to be considered. We recognise that strong candidates may bring relevant strengths and experience in different ways, and we don’t want this to deter you from applying. If you can demonstrate a solid overall match with the role, we’d love to hear from you.

For a full job description and person specification please follow the link below.

Start date

We are ideally looking for candidates who are available to start as early as possible. However, we recognise that availability may vary due to individual notice periods, and we are happy to accommodate some flexibility where possible.

How to apply

Please submit an up to date copy of your CV (max. two A4 pages) and a cover letter (max. one A4 page) outlining skills and experience relevant to the role by email to our HR team. Please include in the subject of the email, the following: “Application for the Head of Operations role”.

Please note: we are unable to accept incomplete applications.

Contact information of our HR team are availble on our website, please follow the application link below.

Closing date

11 March 2026 at 12pm (GMT)

Due to the high volume of applications we expect to receive for this role, we may not be able to provide individual feedback. However, we will endeavour to contact all applicants to update them on the outcome of their application.

Interview

Week commencing 16 March 2026

Please note: The interview process usually consists of two online stages, which may include a role‑specific task. Candidates who are successful at the shortlisting stage will be invited to a first online interview. If you progress from there, you’ll be invited to a second‑stage interview, where we may also ask you to complete a task assessment. Interviews are typically conducted by a panel of two to three people, including the hiring manager. We encourage applicants to let us know about any adjustments needed to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible and equitable.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 

We are dedicated to creating a team that embodies the rich diversity of the society and communities we serve. Our commitment lies in cultivating an inclusive environment, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic circumstances, LGBTQIA+ and individuals with disabilities. We celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives that every candidate brings and are dedicated to ensuring fair and equitable opportunities for all.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process as accessible and inclusive as possible for individuals of all needs and abilities. If you require any adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please contact us. Contact information are available on our website, please visit our jobs pages.

Our benefits and wellbeing

At GNDR, we are committed to cultivating a happy and healthy working environment for all our staff. We provide a competitive salary and benefits package across all of our locations.  Find out more about our approach to wellbeing and our benefits on our website.

Flexible working

In order to support and encourage a healthy work-life balance for our staff, we are happy to consider flexible working requests as part of our recruitment process. As a global organisation, most staff work remotely depending on their role and location. 

If you have any questions on any of the above information or if you have any specific requirements that would enable you to participate more fully in the recruitment process,  please contact our recruitment team.

Are you an experienced and committed Project Manager? Have you worked in programme delivery for young people in schools or youth settings? Can you communicate confidently to a wide audience and range of stakeholders?

We are seeking a full-time Project Manager to support delivery of our new programme, Reading Reboot, funded by the Charlotte Aitken Trust, and to support the SLA to grow its reach and impact. Reading Reboot is being developed to address the reading crisis and restore a love of reading for young people in Year 8, in communities facing the greatest disadvantage. This is an opportunity to lead a flagship national programme with the potential to shape future investment in school libraries, in a supportive, mission-driven team culture within a small but influential charity. 

The Reading Reboot programme will establish librarian-led social book clubs in over 100 under-funded secondary school libraries across the UK and reach more than 6,000 young people directly, alongside librarians, senior leaders and wider school communities. Reading Reboot places school librarians at the heart of delivery, combining new book stock, inspiring author engagement, appealing library spaces, and a robust evaluation to evidence impact and inform future national roll-out.   

The Project Manager will lead on development and delivery, working closely with the CEO, a Project Board and external evaluation team to ensure the programme meets its objectives on time, within budget and to a high quality. They will recruit and coordinate schools and librarians, work with partners and funders, and ensure that learning and impact are captured and shared across the sector. Building strong relationships with all stakeholders, the Project Manager will be the main point of contact for the programme and will support the CEO and Project Board with timely updates, papers and participation in meetings. Successful candidates will have extensive and demonstrable experience of project management in schools or youth settings. Experience of training development and delivery will be an advantage.

The salary for this position is £30,000 per year for 37 hours per week on a one year contract, with potential for extension. Find out more about this role and how to apply by downloading the job application pack.

Application deadline: Thursday 26th March, 5pm

Interviews will take place online the week commencing 7th April 2026.

Applications without a covering letter will not be considered. No agencies please. Due to the volume of applications we cannot provide individual feedback. We really appreciate your interest. If you haven’t heard from us within one week of the deadline, it means we’ve moved forward with other candidates on this occasion. We encourage you to apply again in the future. Please note we may close recruitment early should the right candidate be identified.

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The Study Delivery and Governance Lead will play a central role in ensuring AHS meets the highest ethical, governance and regulatory standards. The post holder will lead the development, submission and oversight of the AHS Research Tissue Bank application, coordinate ethical approvals and ongoing amendments, and provide governance leadership to support study development and delivery.

They will also oversee elements of study set up and delivery, supporting the development of piloting tools and protocols, and addressing operational and logistical considerations necessary for successful delivery. They will line‑manage Research Officers and Senior Research Officers, contributing to a cohesive, high‑functioning team.

Main responsibilities

Research Governance

• Lead the full process of developing, drafting, and submitting the AHS Research Tissue Bank (RTB) application.
• Manage ongoing approvals, amendments, renewals and reporting obligations to Research Ethics Committees, the Health Research Authority, the Confidentiality Advisory Group and other regulatory bodies.
• Develop, implement and maintain governance frameworks, SOPs and quality assurance processes required for RTB operation, keeping abreast of developments in the regulatory landscape.
• Maintain accurate documentation, version control and quality‑assurance procedures relating to ethics and regulatory submissions.
• Act as key point of contact for research governance‑related queries from internal and external stakeholders.

Study Development & Planning

• Work closely with the Senior Programme Manager to contribute to the design and refinement of study protocols, piloting phases and operational plans.
• Lead the planning and delivery of specific study workstreams, as required, defining milestones, tracking progress, and identifying interdependencies as the study develops.
• Coordinate cross‑team activity involving research, data, operations and engagement teams to ensure study components are integrated and delivered effectively.

Project Management & Coordination

• Develop and maintain detailed project plans for governance and study‑delivery workstreams as required, ensuring roadmaps are accurate, realistic and kept up to date.
• Identify, track and mitigate risks related to both governance and delivery, escalating as appropriate and working collaboratively to resolve issues.
• Prepare reports and briefings for AHS governance structures (e.g., AHS Executive, Board of Trustees, Scientific Advisory Board).

Team Leadership & Line Management

• Provide mentoring and day‑to‑day guidance on governance‑related queries, ethics submissions and documentation development.
• Line manage selected staff within the study team, supporting workload planning, professional development and quality assurance.
• Foster effective team working across research, operational and scientific colleagues.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams including scientific leads, operational delivery, data management and engagement teams.
• Represent AHS with external partners related to governance, regulatory support, tissue banking and operational delivery.
• Work with the engagement team to ensure young people are involved in all elements of the study development and delivery.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience in research governance, NHS research ethics management, clinical research management or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience drafting protocols, participant documents and regulatory submissions.
• Strong understanding of ethical and regulatory frameworks including the Human Tissue Act, UK GDPR, and NHS research ethics processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear and actionable guidance for colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with experience managing competing priorities.
• Experience in risk identification and mitigation within research programmes.
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field.
• Experience line managing or supervising staff.

Desirable criteria

• Experience with biobanking, Research Tissue Bank applications or biosample governance.
• Experience with longitudinal population studies or large multi‑site research programmes.
• Understanding of data‑linkage governance and consent processes.
• Project‑management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM, Agile).
• Experience working with children/young people, school‑based research or youth‑focused engagement.
• Experience engaging diverse stakeholders.

Dimensions

• Full time role with flexible working arrangements
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK
• Flexible working will be required across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations, fieldwork sites and partner organisations

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the post holder having the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.

The closing date for this position is EoD Sunday 08 March 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 30 March 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The Research Officer will play a key role in supporting the scientific foundation, development, and coordination of AHS. The post holder will focus initially on supporting the development of the AHS pilot, contributing as required to methods selection, co-development of materials and assessment processes, writing of protocols and ethics submissions and preliminary testing of processes. Activities will involve conducting comprehensive literature reviews, supporting the development of piloting tools and protocols, engagement with schools, adolescents and parents, and addressing operational and logistical considerations necessary for successful delivery. The position is essential to ensuring the pilot and future study are grounded in robust evidence and implemented effectively.

Main responsibilities

Research & Evaluation

• Support in summarising existing evidence, and ongoing work with the research community, to identify insights and knowledge gaps that inform piloting and study research questions
• Support in conducting literature reviews and background research on determinants of adolescent health and identify tools and measures suitable for field-based assessment
• Contribute to the design and delivery of qualitative and/or quantitative research activities in support of study set-up
• Contribute to the design and delivery of public engagement and involvement activities

Piloting Design & Planning

• Contribute to developing piloting protocols and frameworks
• Assist in drafting documents for submission for ethical approval
• Help design, test and adapt measurement tools (e.g. questionnaires) and visit processes
• Support in the preparation of piloting recruitment materials
• Assist in the recruitment of, and relationship building with, schools for pre-testing

Data Collection & Fieldwork Support

• Support procurement of logistics for fieldwork
• Support in the preparation of field worker training materials
• Support training for data collectors and field staff
• Assist in data collection where required
• Be a part of a core team that ensures adherence to ethical standards and protocols

Piloting Coordination Support

• Support meetings and workshops on workstreams
• Support write-up of feasibility testing findings, and contribute to revisions on plans based on findings
• Support the senior study project manager as required on managing piloting timelines, risks and progress

Administrative and Logistical Support

• Take meeting minutes for the scientific study team as required
• Manage piloting documentation and version controls
• Respond to stakeholder queries as required

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential criteria

• A Masters degree in epidemiology, public health, social sciences, or a related discipline
• Demonstrable experience in supporting research studies, preferably in population and/or adolescent health.
• Ability to translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights
• Ability to synthesise literature and evidence concisely for reporting to diverse audiences
• Evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to contribute to protocols and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
•  Ability to form strong working relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders at all levels, both in person and virtually.

Desirable criteria

• A PhD in epidemiology, public health, social sciences, or a related discipline (completed or due to be submitted within 3 months of application)
• Prior experience of working on adolescent health, youth development, or related public health issues
• Experience of conducting and reporting on literature reviews
• Experience with Research Ethics Committee submissions
• Good knowledge of basic principles of ethical research
• Clear understanding of study designs (including piloting) and data collections tools, and their application in school settings
• Experience with the development, testing, or adaptation of research instruments (e.g. questionnaires)
• Experience of working with young people and/or schools (through research and/or public involvement)

Dimensions

• Full time role with flexible working arrangements
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK
• Flexible working will be required across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations, fieldwork sites and partner organisations

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the post holder having the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.

The closing date for this position is EoD Sunday 08 March 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 30 March 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration

Make a Difference

Advocacy is a powerful force for change. It allows individuals to have their voices heard and respected when decisions are being made about their health and social care. It raises awareness of people’s rights and entitlements and empowers people to advocate for themselves.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a values-led, inclusive charity making a real difference to the people we work with.
• Flexible, home-based working with occasional travel and supportive colleagues.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• A culture that values staff wellbeing, innovation, and amplifying voices.

About the Role

We are looking to recruit a permanent Finance Manager to join our busy finance team, working 30-37 hours per week, minimum 30 hours, ideally over a minimum of 4 days, starting salary £31,634 per annum (pro rata).

As Finance Manager, you will:-

· Provide day-to-day operational leadership of the finance team, including supervision, workload coordination, ongoing  staff development and continuous improvement of processes and procedures.

· Act as the main link between the Finance Director and the Finance Team, translating strategic direction into clear, effective delivery.

· Lead month-end processes including the preparation of accurate management accounts, maintaining strong balance sheet control and exercising sound judgement on complex financial issues.

· Oversee income, credit control, cashflow, short-term forecasting and the administration of the finance system, ensuring data integrity, high-quality management information and appropriate escalation of risks or pressures.

· Support audit preparation and liaise with external auditors as required.

· Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to support financial understanding, compliance and the effective resolution of issues.

· Act as the first point of escalation for operational finance issues, escalating to the Finance Director as appropriate.

About You

We need you to bring:

·AAT Level 4 Qualification or significant equivalent finance experience, with responsibility for management accounts, reconciliations and income monitoring.

· Experience coordinating month-end processes and working across multiple income streams, contracts or funding arrangements.

· Strong analytical skills and sound professional judgement, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and identify financial and organisational risk and escalate issues appropriately.

· Experience supervising or supporting others within a finance setting, with a collaborative leadership style and a commitment to continuous improvement.

· Confidence using financial systems and Microsoft Excel at an intermediate to advanced level, alongside a methodical, organised approach to prioritising work.

· A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to the values of The Advocacy People.

The following attributes are also desirable:-

· Experience working in the voluntary or charitable sector, including knowledge of SORP accounting, year-end accounts and liaison with auditors.

· Experience working with local authority contracts or complex funding environments.

· Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or equivalent experience.

As this role is home based with occasional travel you will need to have access to use of public transport or own car. Flexibility with working hours, a good mobile signal and broadband service are essential.

We're keen to interview great candidates as soon as possible. Interviews may be held as applications come in, and we reserve the right to close the advert early, so don't wait - apply now! 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Life is a national charity committed to delivering high‑quality, compassionate and person‑centred support to people facing crisis. Guided by our values of Humanity, Solidarity, Community, Charity and the Common Good, we work across multiple sites to provide safe, effective and life‑changing services.

The Role

We are seeking an exceptional Director of Quality Improvement and Compliance to join our Senior Leadership Team at an exciting time of organisational development.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a senior, influential role with strategic responsibility for quality, safeguarding, compliance, estates and continuous improvement across our national portfolio of services.

You will provide visible, values‑led leadership, ensuring that everything we do is safe, effective, person‑centred, financially sustainable and fully compliant with regulatory requirements. This role has a real opportunity to shape the future of Life – and to positively impact the lives of hundreds of people we support.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on quality improvement, compliance and continuous improvement across supported housing, estates and services
• Hold senior accountability for safeguarding governance, complaints and assurance frameworks
• Lead audit, inspection and review activity, ensuring consistently high standards and strong regulatory outcomes
• Embed a culture of quality, learning and improvement across multi‑site services
• Oversee property compliance, health & safety and estates management, ensuring safe and welcoming environments
• Use data, insight and digital systems to drive performance, manage risk and support innovation
• Act as the organisation’s senior lead with regulators, inspectors and professional bodies
• Work collaboratively with fellow Directors to deliver a joined‑up, high‑quality client journey
• Develop, coach and inspire senior leaders, fostering a high‑performing, values‑driven culture

About You

You will be a credible, values‑led leader with a strong background in regulated services and a passion for quality and safeguarding.

Essential experience and qualifications include:

• Senior leadership experience within supported housing, homelessness or a closely related regulated sector
• Proven success leading multi‑site services and senior operational leaders
• Strong track record in quality improvement, safeguarding, compliance and inspection readiness
• Sound financial and commercial awareness, including managing significant budgets and resources
• Lean Six Sigma qualification
• Level 5 Safeguarding qualification
• Health & Safety qualification (IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent)

You will also bring:

• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into practical delivery
• A collaborative, visible and approachable leadership style
• Integrity, humility and purpose in how you lead
• A commitment to co‑production, continuous learning and innovation
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills

Information about the role: 

For further information, please see the attached job description on our website. 

Salary: £50,285 per annum

Hours: 32 hours per week

Location: Home Based with travel across sites in the UK

Benefits:  

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:  

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours) 
• Birthday Leave  (applicable after 1 years service)
• Additional annual leave for long term service    
• Company Pension Scheme  
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge 

Safeguarding and Equality:   

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.   

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.  

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.  

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records.

There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The Engagement and Involvement Officer will play a central role in supporting meaningful engagement and involvement of young people, families, schools and other interest-holders in the process of designing, delivering and ensuring the best outputs from the Adolescent Health Study.

Primarily, the postholder will be responsible for the stewardship and coordination of the AHS Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG). The post-holder will provide ongoing support to YPAG members to ensure their active participation in opportunities to inform and shape the work of AHS. This will include working closely with the adults in the YPAG members’ lives, including parents/carers, teachers and other relevant adults or professionals. The postholder will also be required to build positive working relationships with other organisations and institutions that work directly with young people. They will support the Engagement and Involvement Lead to develop mechanisms to reach wider and more diverse groups of young people to take part in engagement and involvement activities at AHS.  

This is a role that requires confidence, autonomy, enthusiasm and skill. The post-holder will be a strong advocate for children’s rights, have a sound working knowledge and understanding of safeguarding practices, and demonstrate experience of co-ordinating youth advisory groups, youth councils or similar.

Main responsibilities

Coordination & facilitation

• Plan, organise, and deliver regular meetings, workshops, and consultation sessions with young people.
• Develop accessible, inclusive and engaging materials to support young people’s participation in activities and discussions.
• Ensure robust mechanisms are in place to facilitate a feedback loop, communicating to young people the impact of their input.
• Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and inclusion are embedded in all activities.
• Lead on and maintain communication with young people, parents/carers (where appropriate), and partner organisations.

Support for young people

• Provide guidance, pastoral support, and clear information to help young people take part confidently and safely.
• Facilitate training and development opportunities to build young people’s skills, knowledge, and confidence.
• Foster an environment where young people feel respected, valued, and listened to.
• Manage mechanisms for reward and recognition of young people’s input and contributions.

Strengthen and enable staff team

• Strengthen knowledge and understanding of youth engagement and involvement across the organisation.
• Enable the wider staff team to plan and conduct activities with the YPAG and wider groups of young people, supporting the design of involvement tasks that are age-appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with best practice.
• Provide feedback to colleagues on how to maximise the impact of youth involvement.

Administration & governance

• Manage recruitment and onboarding processes for YPAG members.
• Oversee consent processes, data handling, and safeguarding requirements.
• Coordinate payments, incentives, travel, and expenses for young people.
• Maintain accurate records, produce meeting notes, and ensure timely communication.
• Support the Engagement and Involvement Lead to track, document and report on outcomes and the influence of young people’s involvement on projects and workstreams.

Continuous learning and development

• Contribute to the development of the organisation’s engagement and involvement strategy.
• Contribute to the evaluation of engagement and involvement activities and gather feedback from young people, parents/carers and other relevant parties we work closely with.
• Maintain an interest and working knowledge of best practice in youth involvement, participation, and co‑production.
• Identify opportunities to share learning and reflections with the AHS team and wider colleagues to continuously improve practice and processes.

Interest-holder and partner engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, youth organisations, and community groups to recruit and support young people to engage in engagement and involvement activities.
• Provide verbal and written presentations of engagement and involvement work with young people to internal and external audiences.
• Represent AHS in meetings, workshops and events where appropriate.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential criteria

• Experience developing and delivering engagement and involvement activities with young people and other relevant interest-holders (such as parents, families, teachers and schools).
• A proven track record or professional background in working with young people – such as in youth work, counselling, mentoring, education, or a related setting.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, especially with young audiences.
• Understanding and experience of good practice in youth engagement and involvement, including the principles and implementation of safeguarding, data protection, and inclusive practice.
• Experience of co-ordinating a youth advisory group, council, board or similar structure
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritising tasks and manage own workload.
• Ability to design and deliver workshops, focus groups or meetings that encourage open dialogue and collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills - able to communicate effectively and confidently with a range of stakeholders and to summarise and report key information clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated commitment to children’s rights, youth participation and the meaningful inclusion of young people’s views and perspectives.
• Confidence using online meeting tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom), and collaborative platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Microsoft 365).

Desirable criteria

• Relevant qualification in youth participation, youth work, community engagement or similar.
• Understanding of public involvement in research or willingness to develop expertise.
• Understanding of key concepts and challenges in young people’s health and wellbeing and the transition to adulthood.
• Understanding and knowledge of key potential partners across the UK for delivering youth engagement in the sector.
• Experience using digital engagement and facilitation tools for online sessions (e.g. Miro, Mural, Mentimeter, Canva, PowerPoint).

Dimensions

• This has been designed as a full-time role, although part-time work could be considered for the right candidate.
• Flexible working may be required across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be necessary to various AHS locations and partner organisations.
• Willingness to work hours flexibly including some evenings/weekends.

Additional Information

• Enhanced DBS/PVG or equivalent safeguarding check will be required.

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.

The closing date for this position is midnight on End of Day Sunday 29 March.

Interviews are currently expected to be held during the weeks commencing 27 April and 05 May.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.