Senior policy research officer jobs in Belfast
Employer: Community Rail Network
Salary: £43k-£51.5k pa, full time
Location: Home based / flexible or Huddersfield
We are seeking a dynamic director of policy and communications, to lead and develop our increasingly impactful external affairs activity. You’ll be sharing community insights and evidence with policy and decision-makers at national and devolved level, supporting a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable transport and mobility, while overseeing high-quality, inspiring member communications and thought-leadership, drawing on grassroots experiences.
About us
Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.
Community rail is made up of 76 community-based partnership organisations, and c.1,300 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.
Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in developing our team and helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.
About this role
This role is crucial for us, our members and their communities, especially at the current time, with our need to seize on the opportunities of rail reform and devolution, promote wider use of sustainable transport, and bring communities together. You will spearhead our external affairs strategy and plans, building political relationships, influencing decision-making and raising awareness of community rail and its insights, while ensuring effective communications with our members and helping them to have a voice locally and regionally. You’ll be striving to put community rail at the forefront of a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable mobility.
As a member of our senior leadership team, reporting to and working closely with our chief executive, you will manage a passionate team of four, ensuring collaboration with our other teams, partners and funders, and drawing on members’ insights.
Main responsibilities
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Lead the review, development and delivery of our communications, policy and insights strategy, working to position the community rail movement effectively, use its insights to influence policy change, and ensure our members are well-informed and have a voice;
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Further strengthen our advisory and influencing work with national, devolved and regional government, transport bodies, parliamentarians and other decision-makers, especially around rail reform, transport devolution and integrated, inclusive, sustainable transport;
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Ensure we’re engaging effectively with policy developments and opportunities, taking forward a programme of relationship-building, and identifying and engaging in relevant consultations, events and speaking opportunities, enabling community rail’s insights and experiences to be shared;
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Collaborate with partners in rail, government and the third sector to feed in our expertise on community engagement with rail, amplify our campaigns, and build opportunities for joined-up communications and policy work;
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Continually develop and disseminate our evidence base and insights on the social, environmental and economic value community rail delivers, and opportunities to create greater benefits for communities from rail and transport;
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Oversee high-quality, coherent and inspiring communications with our members and partners, promoting our work, and sharing news, opportunities, and good practice across the movement;
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Manage production of high-quality resources, case studies and reports that our members can use to enhance their impact and which showcase community rail’s impact;
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Lead and develop our media relations and awareness-raising PR, championing community rail and its messages on sustainable, inclusive travel and communities at national and regional level, while supporting members on local PR;
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Develop our online presence and reach, making full use of our website, social media, our Scenic Rail Britain campaign, and partners’ channels to celebrate and position community rail and grow its reach and impact;
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Oversee a calendar of creative and impactful campaigns that involve and empower our members, creating PR and engagement opportunities, including Community Rail Week;
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Play a key role in collective leadership, strategic focus and organisational development as a member of our senior leadership team, including through internal communications and cross-team working, annual planning, funder liaison and reporting, upholding our strategies and policies, and pursuing opportunities for continuous improvement.
Skills and competencies
- Strong leadership and management skills, including experience managing, developing and drawing on a multi-faceted team delivering complex campaigns or projects, and budget management;
- Excellent communication and external leadership skills; articulate, assertive, and with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels;
- An understanding of public affairs, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, and a demonstrable ability to identify influencing opportunities, deliver thought-leadership, and engage with policy-makers, including sharing community insights;
- Politically astute, with awareness of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a good grasp of the importance of public transport sustainable travel, and community-led action, to these agendas;
- Understanding of political processes and experience of engaging with policy and decision-making, ideally at national, devolved and local levels;
- Sound knowledge of communication and marketing methods and channels, and ability to oversee messaging and targeting of public and professional audiences, and to align content across multiple channels;
- A demonstrable ability to think analytically and draw on statistical and qualitative research to construct robust, evidence-based arguments;
- Experience of working with the media and achieving coverage at national, regional and local level;
- Experience working collaboratively with partners and ideally funders to deliver communications and policy activity and forming professional networks;
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while dealing with competing priorities, and to support team members to do so;
- IT literate with a good working knowledge of Office, the internet and social media;
- Appropriate qualifications and professional development demonstrating knowledge and skills in line with the above, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.
Other information
As you will be home-based, we are flexible about your location. However, you will be expected to travel to in-person full team meetings quarterly (usually in West Yorkshire), and you will need to bring your team together (currently all West Yorkshire based) with similar regularity in between. Attendance at in-person events and meetings is also important. We therefore welcome applications from those with decent public transport links, not too far from a railway station, to enable journeys to be made sustainably.
This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.
Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.
Championing the community rail movement | Connecting people and their railways | Creating inclusive, empowered, sustainable and healthy communities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Impatience Earth is a non-profit climate philanthropy consultancy founded in 2020 with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency.
For the first time, we will be undertaking work to focus specifically on climate resilience in the UK. Currently this work sits with two existing team members, and a network of Associates and advisors. We are hiring a new team member to support this work on a fixed-term contract running from 2026-2027.
Why UK resilience? We can see the impacts of climate change in the UK are rapidly increasing - from direct impacts such as extreme heat, flooding and heavy rainfall, to direct knock-on effects such as increasing food prices. What is often hidden is the social, economic and racial injustice at the core of climate vulnerability in the UK. The people who are disproportionately impacted by climate change are also most likely to be excluded from the process to address it. This includes women and girls living at the intersections of poverty, disability and race who remain overlooked by climate policy and interventions, even though the inclusion of women in environmental decision-making processes has been shown to have a positive impact on their outcomes.
Climate change is occurring at the same time as trust in British society, democracy and politics is collapsing. As recent research from Climate Outreach shows, voters in the UK feel overlooked, disillusioned about the present and fearful for the future, and many are yet to be convinced that net zero offers a positive way forward.
Yet research also shows that the majority of the public do care about climate change and protecting nature, and we know from our work that there are individuals and groups across the UK who are taking action to create a more resilient future - often on a shoestring budget. When Impatience Earth convened funders around the topic of climate resilience in the UK, we had a lot of interest. We also heard that a common challenge is identifying resilience-building work to fund. A recurring question was ‘resilience-building work: how do we know it when we see it?”
This new role at Impatience Earth is designed to help us answer two key questions:
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How do we use our position and bird's-eye view of the philanthropy ecosystem to make climate philanthropy work more effectively for marginalised communities in the UK and withstand political headwinds?
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How do we build the ecosystem for gender just climate action in the UK?
To answer these, it will be important to work in partnership and collaboration with other UK philanthropic support organisations (such as the Environmental Funders Network); help build bridges between the different organisations and groups doing this work across the UK; and shine a light on the opportunities for funders and policy-makers to support climate action that builds the resilience of the people who are most affected, but often overlooked. This role is an exciting opportunity to increase awareness and action in the philanthropic sector around the different dimensions of climate risk in the UK, especially as a result of gender inequity, poverty and other intersecting forms of marginalisation.
About Impatience Earth
Impatience Earth is a non-profit climate philanthropy consultancy with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency. Since 2020, IE has catalysed over £250 million in new philanthropic funding for climate action around the world, of which over £90 million has already been disbursed to impactful organisations working to mitigate climate change and build the resilience of communities in the face of increasing climate risk.
With a core focus on climate justice, Impatience Earth explores with funders how they can effectively resource and partner with the leaders and communities on the frontline of climate actions who are often overlooked and underfunded by mainstream climate philanthropy. Impatience Earth’s portfolio of work in the UK is increasingly focused on how funders can build the power of local communities to increase their resilience against increasing climate impacts - such as extreme weather events - that also exacerbate existing vulnerabilities.
Requirements for this role
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You live and are legally able to work in the UK (unfortunately we are unable to sponsor UK work visas)
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You have a good understanding of the way that climate change will intersect with different forms of oppression and vulnerability in the UK, particularly gender but also: racism, poverty and class inequality, disability, discrimination due to sexual orientation, faith, migration status and other factors.
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You have a good understanding of the ways that climate change is already impacting communities in the UK, as well as solutions relating to resilience-building.
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You have a good understanding, likely through your own lived experience, of the difference in economic opportunities and investment beyond London and across the different parts of the UK.
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You have a demonstrated ability to build trusted working relationships with a range of stakeholders, which might include: community-based organisations, philanthropic foundations and local authorities.
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You are respectful of people with different backgrounds, cultures, faiths and lived experiences.
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You are curious and a good listener.
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You are highly organised and motivated to work in a fast-paced organisation.
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You enjoy working in-person with different stakeholders, and you’re happy to travel to other parts of the UK when required to attend in-person meetings, events and represent Impatience Earth (travel expenses will be covered).
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You can lead, and contribute to, research and written reports that can be shared with funders and external audiences.
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You are highly competent with online working and online collaboration including: email, Zoom conferencing, and online documentation.
Day-to-Day Activities
Whilst this work is still being developed, and you will have an opportunity to shape it, the day-to-day activities will likely include the following.
Strategy
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Support the development of Impatience Earth’s UK resilience strategy, by reviewing existing plans and providing feedback and suggestions.
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Throughout this role, share learnings and feedback with the Impatience Earth team, Associates and other stakeholders, aiming to ‘work in the open’.
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Help Impatience Earth to recruit and work with a group of advisors.
Relationship building and new collaborations
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Connect with the UK organisations and individuals that Impatience Earth has already built relationships with, identify opportunities to collaborate, and take plans forward. This could include convening a roundtable or co-designing an event.
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Make new connections with individuals and organisations outside of Impatience Earth’s existing network who are working to build the resilience of communities across the UK. This could be through attending conferences, community events, or cold outreach and calls.
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Build bridges between organisations and funders working across different themes (such as climate and gender) to strengthen the ecosystem on intersectional climate resilience.
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Develop and maintain excellent external relationships, always acting as an ambassador for Impatience Earth, to help build our reputation and profile.
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Manage the planning and execution of events, including developing an agenda, giving presentations, facilitating group discussions, and providing logistical support.
Research and writing
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Support Impatience Earth to develop a taxonomy for gender-just climate resilience in the UK, that will later be shared with funders and other external stakeholders.
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Work with other team members to conduct research and mapping that can form the basis of recommendations for funders.
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Draft high-quality written reports, blogs, presentations and other online materials on the topic of intersectional, gender-just climate resilience.
Internal knowledge management and communication
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Communicate across the Impatience Earth team, with colleagues working in different parts of the world, to share information and cross-check opportunities. As a remote team, our work is made possible by internal knowledge management and communication. This will include:
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Timely writing up of notes and actions from meetings you attend and saving on our Google Drive
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Sharing time-sensitive insights and opportunities with the team on Slack
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Joining weekly online team meetings
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Benefits
As part of this role, you will have a pro rata allowance of 25 days paid annual leave, individual coaching, a professional development budget and be part of a passionate team committed to advancing climate action. We have taken a range of steps to build an inclusive and welcoming work culture and we hope we will receive applications from people from a range of backgrounds.
How To Apply
We are not able to sponsor visas unfortunately and are not doing calls with candidates in advance of applications.
We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you have any access requirements or need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can discuss how to support you.
Stage 1: Submit your CV plus either a cover letter (1.5 pages max), or a short video, that includes details about your relevant experience for the role and why you think you’ll be a good fit. Please consider the Requirements for this role section when you write your cover letter/record your video, particularly points 2-5. Please submit documents in PDF format as we are unable to open MS Word files.
Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial video interview carried out via Zoom to discuss your experience and what excites you about the role. We will send all candidates the interview questions in advance.
Stage 3: You will be asked to complete a short assignment at a time that suits you. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates a £50 stipend to cover the time invested in this exercise.
Stage 4: As part of the final interview stage, you’ll be invited to a full interview and we will be sending all candidates the interview questions in advance. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates an additional £50 stipend to cover the time invested in preparing for interview.
Who You Will Meet
As part of the interview process, you will meet our CEO Yasmin Ahammad, Director Sarah Farrell and People and Wellbeing Director, Heather Salmon. For more information, see our website impatience.earth.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This role manages the BSI’s Clinical Immunology Professional Network, and drives partnerships to secure funding and support. You will also lead the BSI’s work on vaccines, aiming to accelerate the development and deployment of effective and affordable vaccines that deliver patient benefit.
This is a highly visible role requiring extensive engagement with partner organisations including the NHS, charities, funders, government bodies and industry, alongside a strong understanding of the relevant policy landscape. Acting as a primary interface with clinical and research communities, funders and other key stakeholders, you will also secure external funding to support project delivery. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to build strong relationships and successfully deliver projects both within and beyond the BSI.
This is an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious and innovative science and health membership organisation, delivering impactful projects, and building important partnerships in the dynamic field of clinical research.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Cord is an international charity working to make peace a reality where people don’t have the freedom to exercise their rights. We work to build the relationship between those in power and local communities.
We believe that people flourish when all parts of society work together. Peaceful relationships make that possible. The simple act of talking begins a journey of growth which transforms mistrust, includes the excluded and turns adversaries into allies.
Cord operates in eight countries and implements programmes in the following areas:
- Empowering Women & Girls
- Accessing Fundamental Freedoms
- Climate & the Environment
- Economic Empowerment
- Supporting Stronger Societies
We are a small, committed team who love working together to make a huge impact. If you like the sound of us, then take a look at the recruitment pack and come and join our team!
About the Role
Are you someone who is passionate about seeing positive change in our world? Can you analyse data efficiently, present information clearly, and work collaboratively?
We are looking for someone to join our Programme Operations Unit, which exists to provide support to country programme teams Finance, Programme Quality, OMEAL (Organisational, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning), Operations (which includes human resources facilities including digital working).
The Programme Operations Officer role reports to the Programme Quality Lead (PQL) who has overall responsibility for quality oversight of programme compliance including reporting and project implementation across Cord’s country programmes and provides support in developing overall capacity for implementing programmes. The PQL also leads on Cord’s OMEAL system linked to learning and knowledge, ensuring that impact is monitored and learning is disseminated.
The Programme Operations Officer will support the Programme Quality Lead to deliver programme quality and OMEAL oversight and support to country teams and partners. Additionally, the role will support the wider Programme Operations Unit to ensure country programmes teams have the facilities and operational systems needed to deliver their work effectively. This role work closely with country teams to ensure they have the support required and will involve travel to programme locations.
The four focus areas of the role are: programme compliance, country programme support, OMEAL, and global operational support.
This role would suit someone with M&E and project cycle experience gained within a peacebuilding or development iNGO. You will have qualitative and quantitative skills, be able to analyse data efficiently, present information clearly, and work collaboratively demonstrating understanding the needs of a range of stakeholders.
If you like what you read and are passionate about real and lasting change, come and join us and be part of the Cord story.
Application Instructions
To apply please send you CV and a covering letter that explains your interest in Cord and the role, and details how you fulfil the requirements of the role.
This is a UK based remote role and applicants must have the right to work in the UK and the ability to travel to Coventry for team meetings.
To apply please send your CV and covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the job description.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About us
We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However, you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here.
The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.
About the role
Do you live in Edinburgh or the surrounding area?
As a senior community fundraiser, you’ll be an important part of the team building Breast Cancer Now’s presence in Scotland, with a particular focus on Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.
We’re looking for someone who is an experienced relationship builder, someone who can find and develop new supporters. You’ll need excellent local knowledge, and the enthusiasm to develop a brand-new fundraising region.
The successful candidate will also be part of the team working on our large-scale project supporting and growing Asda Tickled Pink, our award-winning partnership with Asda and CoppaFeel! which has already raised over £100 million.
You’ll work directly with passionate colleagues across Asda stores in your region driving new fundraising initiatives, inspiring communities and celebrating incredible successes.
No 2 days will look the same as you travel, connect and engage supporters to help us grow income to deliver our mission.
The role is initially offered as an 18-month contract with the potential to become permanent
About you
You’re confident in approaching new contacts and are experienced in developing new relationships from scratch. This may currently be in a customer service, account management or stewardship role.
You’re experienced in managing and building new and established relationships with a focus on retention and income growth.
You’re enthusiastic, proactive, organised and unafraid to test and try new ideas.
You’re required to be involved being out and about in the community that you’re building, so you must be able to work independently outside of the office in varying locations and enjoy being busy.
Previous experience working in a charity is not required.
Job description and benefits
Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.
Primary location of role
This is a remote role, and the candidate will need to be based in the Edinburgh area with unlimited access to their own car. Regular travel will be required to meet supporters and visit Asda stores in your region, as well as occasional travel to our London, Sheffield or Glasgow office.
When applying
We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria. If you’ve any immediate questions please contact the Breast Cancer Now Recruitment team.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who we support.
Closing date Tuesday 6 January 2026 9am
Interview date Tuesday 13 January 2026
We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.
We are looking for a dynamic, values-led, strategic leader to drive our mission for migration justice and social work solidarity. The role entails oversight of the operations and strategy of the organisation, responsibility for financial management and fundraising, maintaining the health of the organisation and embedding anti-racist and anti-opressive values into every aspect of the organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Position: Community Support Senior Officer x 3
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Homebased (1 x with access to North West England, 1 x with access to East Midlands and 1 x with access to West Midlands). Must have access to a car with clean driving licence
Salary: £33,044* per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 2, Charity
*you’ll start at our entry point salary of £ 33,044 per annum, increasing to £35,109 after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £37,174 after a further 6 months.
About us
We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.
Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.
Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.
Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.
About this job
Please note, you must have access to car with a clean driving licence for this role.
Join us as a Community Support Senior Officer and make a real difference!
In this pivotal role, you’ll provide high-quality support to volunteers, volunteer managers, and service providers across our community networks. You’ll help ensure enquiries are resolved promptly, guide volunteers through their journey, and work collaboratively to maintain well-governed, compliant groups that meet local needs. If you’re passionate about empowering volunteers, skilled in communication and planning, and eager to contribute to positive change for people affected by MS, we’d love to hear from you.
Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 5 January 2026
We anticipate interviews will take place week commencing 12th January 2026.
Interested?
PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Equal Opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.
We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application.
Disability Confident Employer
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.
You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.
If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.
More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to):
Encouraging work life balance
- 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
- More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
- Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us)
- Flexible working options
Caring for you and your family
- Generous sick pay entitlement
- More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment
- Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year
- Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis
- Enhanced leave for new parents
- Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
- Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
- 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- Cycle to work scheme
- Death in service scheme
- New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
- In the event of miscarriage or still birth
- To support fertility treatments
- For antenatal appointments for both parents
Thinking about your finances
- Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
- Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
- New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing
Enriching your life at work
- Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
- Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
- New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely
- Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups)
- Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community)
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal
Safeguarding
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.
This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.
We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.
We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.
Your right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.
You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.
No agencies please.
To fund world-leading research, share the latest information and campaign for everyone's rights. Together we are a community. Together we can stop MS
Company Description
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end of life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end of life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.
Job Description
The Senior Strategic Communications Manager will shape how the charity tells its story to the world. This person ensures our messages, campaigns, and content aligns with our mission and resonates with the audiences we serve. You’ll work across the organisation to turn complex priorities into compelling narratives, guiding teams to communicate with clarity, consistency, and purpose. It’s a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and storytelling - translating organisational goals into communications that inspire and influence.
This is an exciting, newly created role that offers the opportunity to shape our strategic communications approach from the ground up. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our external communications are cohesive, impactful, and aligned with our organisational strategy - strengthening Marie Curie’s public image and brand. If you're looking for a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference and leave your mark, we’d love to hear from you!
You will be responsible for:
- Working closely with the Director and Head of Communications to develop, manage and optimise Marie Curie’s external communication strategy.
- Leading strategic communications planning, translating organisational goals into actionable, audience-led communications plans.
- Developing and overseeing key messaging frameworks and thematic narratives based on insight and research.
- Evaluate performance, generate insights, and ensure continuous improvement.
- Advising and working closely with senior management, internal communications, teams across our income and innovation directorate and external agencies.
- Ensuring team, channel, campaign and product strategies are aligned and support the departmental, directorate and organisational strategy.
- Line managing the Strategic Communications Manager and leading matrix teams on key projects.
Key Criteria:
- Extensive experience in a senior external communications role, with a strong track record of delivering integrated, high-impact strategic communication campaigns from start to finish.
- Experience translating organisational strategy into compelling structured key messages for our audiences.
- Experience advising and influencing leadership and stakeholders at all organisational levels.
- Proven track record of leading projects across teams and managing agency partnerships.
- Confident and persuasive communicator with excellent writing, planning, and leadership skills.
- Highly capable of prioritising tasks and managing multiple projects and campaigns to meet deadlines.
- Experience managing agencies and overseeing high-profile campaigns.
- Confident working in changing environments.
- Passion for purposeful communication that makes a measurable difference.
- Experience working in a charity, not-for-profit, or health-related organisation (desirable).
Please see the full job description. [LINK]
Additional Information
Application & Interview Process
- As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and supplementary details. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
- Close date for applications: 9 Jan 2026.
Salary: £45,000-50,000 & £3,500 London weighting allowance where applicable.
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Based: Fully remote (work from home) or hybrid working (Embassy Gardens office in London).
Benefits you’ll LOVE:
- Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
- 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
- Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
- Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
- Continuous professional development opportunities.
- Industry-leading training programmes
- Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
- Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
- Access to Blue Light Card membership
- Subsidised Eye Care
Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.
We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
We're happy to accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments. Please email any requests to
Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.
We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.
As Director of Policy & Research, you will:
- Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
- Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
- Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
- Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
- Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
- Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
- Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
- Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
- Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
- Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.
This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.
About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:
- Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
- Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
- Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
- Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
- Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
- Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
- Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
- Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
- Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.
Personal Qualities
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
- Strategic and visionary thinker.
- Collaborative and inclusive leader.
- Politically astute and intellectually curious.
- Practical, focused, and reliable.
- Committed to personal and professional development.
Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:
- 30 days’ annual leave
- Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
- 3% pension contribution
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.
Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.
This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.
Key Responsibilities
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Policy and Research Leadership
- Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
- Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
- Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
- Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
- Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.
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Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
- Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
- Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
- Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.
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Internal Collaboration
- Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
- Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
- Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
- Line manage junior staff or associates as required.
About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:
- Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
- Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
- Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
- Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
- Experience in income generation or bid development.
- Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
- Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
- Politically aware and intellectually curious.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
Personal Qualities
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
- Strategic and solutions-focused.
- Collaborative and inclusive.
- Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
- Committed to personal and professional development.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:
- 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.
Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Head of Development and Communications
Job Description
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
£46,200 - £50,200 per annum FTE
The Head of Development and Communications plays a pivotal role in driving In2scienceUK’s mission to change lives by opening doors to STEM degrees and careers for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
As a senior leader, you will shape and deliver a bold, integrated development and communications strategy that brings our mission to life, tells powerful stories of change, and inspires confidence and commitment from donors, partners, and key stakeholders that unlocks new opportunities for innovation and expansion.
In this role, you will manage a small, high-performing team and oversee the creation of compelling narratives and effective engagement strategies that inspire donors, partners, alumni, and key stakeholders, supporting a resilient and diversified income portfolio.
Working closely with programme teams, you will ensure that development and communications activity amplifies the impact of existing programmes, while identifying and developing new opportunities that deliver meaningful outcomes for young people across the UK.
You will drive the development of strategic partnerships and funding relationships to expand the reach and influence of In2science’s work. Combining strategic vision with operational expertise, you will take a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to growth, shaping how the organisation connects with its audiences, builds its reputation, and communicates the impact of its work in support of long-term strategic goals.
In2scienceUK operates on a remote basis, with necessary UK-wide travel for partner and funder meetings, events, and staff co-working days.
Direct Reports
Development Team: Development Manager, Development Officer, External Fundraising Consultancy.
Comms Team : Senior Communications Officer.
Responsibilities
Development
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To collaborate with the senior leadership team and trustees in setting organisational strategy and building strategic partnerships to support In2science’s vision for 2026 and beyond.
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Lead on planning, implementation and delivery of segmented fundraising and stewardship campaigns across programmes and audiences with a 2026 income target of £1.5m.
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Lead and manage a diverse fundraising portfolio, including corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, research grants (e.g., UKRI), government funding, and individual giving.
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To lead a small but effective development team, including an external fundraising contractor to build upon our success to date to achieve funding targets and foster strategic relationships with funding and delivery partners.
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Budget and resource all aspects of development and communications, including engaging with external contractors to maximise our output and upskill our teams.
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Work closely with the Head of Operations to oversee our CRM, ensuring accurate pipeline reporting and forecasting, as well as utilising the system for tailored stewardship opportunities.
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Work closely with our programmes team to ensure that deliverables are met and in line with our mission and objectives.
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Explore opportunities for partnership to launch new programmes and initiatives, working with the Data and Impact manager to use national data to ensure we deliver the greatest possible impact to those most in need.
Communications
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Oversee the organisation’s external communications, ensuring all messaging is on-brand, reflects our values, meets high standards, and effectively tells the story of our impact on young people.
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Oversee resourcing of the communications function, balancing 70% development and brand engagement with 30% programme-focused activity.
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Identify opportunities to maximise brand presence through strategic partnerships, policy engagement, and media activity.
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Work closely with the SMT and Trustees to respond to media, speaking, and event requests, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging.
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Ensure digital and web platforms effectively showcase our impact and support compelling storytelling.
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Manage the Senior Communications Officer to deliver campaigns that drive organisational growth and engagement with donors, partners, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
Governance
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To work with the SMT, CEO, and Trustees to ensure strong charity governance, including leading the Growth Subcommittee and preparing reports for quarterly board meetings.
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Identify organisation-wide opportunities to streamline and improve performance across the organisation.
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Working with SMT and trustees to ensure charity compliance. Including the charity commission, funding regulator, ICO.
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Identify and manage organisational/operational risk and ensure that all measures are in place to mitigate this.
As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder. The postholder will carry out any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager. All staff must undertake all mandatory training, checks and compliance as instructed by the organisation.
Person Specification
Essential:
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A passionate advocate for social mobility in STEM.
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An inspiring leader who can inspire and collaborate across the organisation to achieve our collective goals.
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Three years experience of leading a development team to generate a seven-figure annual income from a diverse range of donors, ideally in a charitable organisation.
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Knowledge of all streams of fundraising, with direct experience in at least two of the following: corporate fundraising, trust and foundations, research grants e.g. UKRI, government grants or individual giving (incl. high-net worth donors).
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A target driven individual with a proven track record of personal six-figure income generation and achieving or exceeding personal targets.
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Excellent relationship management skills to steward existing and potential partners and donors.
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Experience of line management including developing personal development plans and setting KPIs.
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Proven experience of managing a brand, ensuring consistent and impactful communications that maximise reach amongst our target audiences.
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Superb written and verbal communication skills with the ability to persuade and influence at all levels.
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Proven experience of overseeing communication campaigns to engage new prospects across a variety of audiences.
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Evidence of efficient and accurate management of budgets and resources.
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Willingness to work flexibly and attend occasional events or meetings on evenings/weekends when required.
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Working collaboratively and supporting fostering a collegiate workplace environment.
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Upholds the values of our code of conduct and is respectful to all.
Desirable:
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Direct knowledge and/or experience of the barriers young people face in accessing STEM degrees or careers.
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Direct knowledge and/or experience of working with education organisations or STEM sector employers, incl. knowledge of current trends.
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Experience of working in collaboration with across teams to deliver new initiatives that maximise outcomes for young people and attract relevant funding.
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Evidence of delivering highly impactful events.
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Prior experience of public speaking, thought leadership and engaging with the press.
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Experience of governance in a small charitable organisation and utilising Trustees to support the organisation's goals and objectives.
Benefits:
At In2scienceUK we practise what we preach by giving all staff opportunities to progress in their careers. You will have the opportunity to develop your career with your line manager to get you to the next level from day one.
Although we take our career development seriously we also value work-life balance. You will have the opportunity to work flexibly from home, balancing your caring responsibilities, volunteer commitments, hobbies and anything else that makes you happy.
You will have 28 days of annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays.
Commitment to Safeguarding:
In2scienceUK is committed to our responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults as outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children. We are committed to recruiting candidates who share this commitment to safeguarding, and therefore we apply robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people selected are right for the job, and that all candidates are appropriately screened prior to appointment.
The following pre-employment checks will be undertaken as applicable:
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References
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DBS check and/or Overseas criminal records check where applicable
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Self-Disclosure
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Identity check
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Right to work in the UK
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Evidence of qualifications applicable to the role
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Confirmation of registration with applicable registered body where applicable
Many of our roles involve working with children and we will therefore take up references prior to your appointment. You should provide details of referees including your current and previous employers, covering the last 5 years. Your current or previous employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children, if the role involved working with children, including any in which the penalty is time expired. We will also ask if you have been the subject of any child protection concerns and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure.
Diversity and Inclusion:
In2scienceUK is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented in STEM and the charity sector, including but not limited to people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
We recognise that talent and potential come in many forms, and we welcome applicants with different experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking. We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and working environment, and we will make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, please let us know.
Please provide a cover letter and CV highlighting your suitability for the role.
In2scienceUK exists to unlock the potential of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and boost diversity and inclusion in the STEM sector.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Role Purpose:
The Clinical Director will provide strategic clinical leadership to the Restraint Reduction Network, ensuring that all initiatives, standards, and practices align with evidence-based approaches, human rights principles, and the goal of reducing restrictive practices across education health and social care settings. This role will champion best practice, influence policy, and support the implementation of RRN Training Standards nationally and internationally.
This role will also include delivering training, audits, working on projects that reflect areas of expertise and supporting organisations to restrictive practices through six core strategies.
Role Summary
· To be the clinical lead for RRN including leading our work supporting providers to improve via the six core strategies.
· To provide clinical leadership for the RRN Partners Programme through acting as lead RRN consultant and delivering programmes.
· Working with the Director of Organisational and Workforce development to ensure programmes are effective and contemporary and evolves as practice evolves and improves with feedback
· Providing collaborative leadership of RRN in leading a restraint reduction movement across the British Isles and leading our RRN members community.
· Work with members of RRN Senior leadership team and board of trustees to ensure RRN is both sustainable and impactful in line with charities purpose
· Support RRN manager and associates to develop a range of resources ensuring that all RRN resources are:
o evidence based (linking with academics and universities)
o co-produced (with people with lived experience of restraint)
o protects human rights (linking with human rights organisations)
· Support and contribute to the continuous improvement of the RRN training standards and RRN Practice Leadership Diploma
· Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the RRN, ensuring positive relationships with key stakeholders including charities, civil servants, professionals, academics and people with lived experience
· Ensure RRN develops its reputation as leaders in restraint reduction nationally and internationally and ensure internal culture reflects trauma informed practice we promote
· Work collaboratively with CEO to ensure clear strategy and internal culture reflects trauma informed practice we promote
· Ensure all resources and work undertaken by RRN reflect best practice in co-production with people with lived experience of restraint
· Supporting RRN associates with lived experience with clear expectations of their role and putting in person centred processes to minimise the impact of trauma through the direct work they do for RRN and the interaction with the organisation.
· Contribute to the development of a Community of Practice
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the clinical vision for restraint reduction across education, health and social care, ensuring alignment with RRN’s mission and values.
- Provide clinical leadership in ensuring all RRN activities are trauma informed and people with lived experience are provided with support then need to minimise risk of retraumatising.
Policy & Standards
- Ensure RRN Training Standards and resources are co-produced, remain current, evidence-based, and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to national and international policy development on restraint reduction and restrictive practices.
Quality & Improvement
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including audits, research, and evaluation of restraint reduction strategies.
- Monitor and report on clinical outcomes and impact measures related to restraint reduction.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships with NHS Trusts, social care providers, special schools, regulators, and self-advocacy groups.
- Promote co-production with people with lived experience of restraint and their families.
Education & Workforce Development
- Support the development and delivery of RRN Diploma
- Provide clinical leadership for webinars, conferences, and professional development initiatives.
Research & Evidence
- Collaborate with academic partners to advance research on restraint reduction and disseminate findings.
- Ensure all RRN resources are evidenced based reflecting best practice from both research and people with lived experience.
Please apply by sending a current CV together with a supporting statement demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the job description and person specification. Your supporting statement should be no longer than 2 A4 pages.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Help us to grow our Environmental Education Charity’s impact and income by fundraising, allowing us to deliver our mission to create outstanding opportunities that inspire everyone to engage with and care for the environment.
- The base location for this position is negotiable, with full remote working / home working a possibility.
- It’s a permanent full-time contract working an average 37.5 hours per week.
- Circa £30,197 per annum + excellent benefits – including 28 days leave + bank holidays, life assurance 5 x your salary, Health and Wellbeing Support and much more! See the full list below.
Love where you work!
We are a national charity established in 1943 to promote a better understanding of the natural world.
Our aim today is unchanged – to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it. We do this by offering a wide range of education courses and materials, so that everyone – and especially young people – can increase their knowledge, understanding and love for the natural world.
We value each of our team members and understand that every role is vital to achieve our goals, so, we provide great benefits* to reward and support you while you work with us.
What you’ll be doing
Your focus will be to grow our charity’s impact and revenue streams by fundraising for environmental education, benefitting people and nature by securing funds from supporters, trusts/foundations, and businesses.
This will include building relationships with potential legators, inspiring supporters to maintain their commitment, eventually leaving the Field Studies Council a gift in their Will as well as turning strategic and operational priorities into practical funding bids.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Researching and identifying potential trusts/foundations/businesses as suitable external funders for designated target projects
- Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to draft fundraising bids, developing persuasive proposals and collating appropriate supporting documentation.
- Proactively develop positive, long-term relationships that grow Field Studies Council’s pipeline of prospects
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and understanding of relevant governmental, sector and business opportunities to identify potential funding opportunities
- Fundraising administration including gift processing, donor thanking and stewardship
- Supporting at events and funding meetings, as required
Please refer to the vacancy pack for the full responsibilities of the position.
Where you’ll be based
The base location for this position is negotiable, with full remote working / home working a possibility. However, if you prefer working in office, we have Field Studies Centres throughout the country which you are also able to work from. We will also consider hybrid working options.
There may the occasional need to travel to meet with, colleagues, prospective funders and other stakeholders. We expect this to be limited, no more than once every 2-3 months.
Who we’re looking for
You will be passionate about our charity’s mission and understand the importance of Environmental Education.
It’s essential that you have experience working in a fundraising role or department. We need an experienced individual who is confident to write and submit successful fundraising bids to trusts, foundations and businesses.
You will also have experience creating and managing successful supporter journeys to optimise our donations, particularly legators.
As a natural at building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, you will be able to tell compelling stories to encourage individuals and organisations to support our aim to connect people to nature.
If this inspires you, we would love to hear from you.We look forward to your application.
* Your benefits whilst working with us will include:
- Competitive salary
- 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
- Extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
- Health and Wellbeing Support App which provides access for you and eligible family members to remote GP appointments, mental health consultations, physiotherapy and second medical opinions
- 24hr Counselling Helpline Service
- Life assurance 5 x your annual basic salary
- Cycle to work and EV schemes
- Discounts and cashback opportunities
- Flexible working options where roles permit
- Quality learning and development opportunities
The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 4 January 2026.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted after the close date and interviews will be arranged accordingly
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Director of Fundraising and Development (Maternity cover)
Reporting to: CEO as part of the Senior Leadership team
Direct reports: Head of Business Development, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Head of Individual Giving and Engagement, Head of Major Giving, Department Coordinator Location of work: Remote/ Home based with travel to London and occasional UK travel.
Contract Length: 18 months Maternity Cover
Contract Type: Proposed full-time, 35 hours per week; 28 hours per week or 35 hours compressed may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work.
Salary: £80,000 - £85,000
BACKGROUND
Magic Breakfast’s mission is to end child morning hunger in the UK now and for good. The latest research suggests that the number of children and young people at risk of hunger has rocketed to 2.7 million, meaning that one in five children don’t have enough to eat. When a child is too hungry to learn, they struggle to concentrate, absorb information, and manage big emotions, causing them to fall behind in their studies.
Magic Breakfast provides a nutritious and filling breakfast to over 300,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma. We are now at an exciting point in our journey as we launch Nourishing Futures, our long-term strategy, which capitalises on market changes and government commitments to scale our work, while redefining breakfast spaces not just as places to eat, but as places to thrive.
JOB PURPOSE
The Director of Fundraising and Development (Maternity Cover) will provide strategic leadership and direction across all fundraising and income-generating activities, ensuring the charity continues to deliver against its financial objectives and accelerates long-term, sustainable growth across our philanthropic, public, and commercial income streams.
You will bring strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills to equip, support, and empower the team through a period of organisational change. You will help the team optimise and make the most of the new organisational strategy, embedding strategic focus, effective decision-making, and collaborative leadership practices across the fundraising leadership group.
You will use your commercial acumen and fundraising expertise to identify opportunities and support the team to recognise, shape, and pursue them confidently and effectively, enabling them to take ownership and drive progress across all income streams. A key part of the role will be ensuring that new commercial and public sector income streams are recognised, understood, and capitalised on across the organisation, working closely with the newly established Head of Business Development to embed this focus and enable them to succeed in driving this work forward.
Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will play a crucial role in maintaining momentum, ensuring continuity, and supporting the organisation to deliver the new strategy and business plan, helping to realise opportunities, navigate challenges, and ensure long-term sustainability during this maternity cover period.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Driving income growth: establishing high-performing income pipelines across all income streams, with a strong multi-year focus, supported by robust data, reporting, and pipeline management.
- Integrating and accelerating public sector and commercial income streams: Ensuring newly integrated income areas are understood, valued and operational across the organisation.
- Embedding and executing a unified, co-owned fundraising and development strategy: Partnering with the CEO, SLT and Board to embed strategic focus, ensure integration, and alignment with organisational goals.
- Strengthening leadership, culture and team performance: Providing coaching-based leadership, direction, support and empowerment, helping the team thrive and achieve ambitious income targets across philanthropic, public sector and commercial streams.
- Advance cross-organisational impact, insight and influence: ensuring fundraising and development is tightly integrated with organisational strategy, marketing/engagement, service delivery and external influencing.
For more information on the role or to apply please contact:
Katie Booth | peridot partners| email and phone number can be found on the website link
Simon Callaghan | peridot partners | email and phone number can be found on the website link
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 12th January 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: By 5 p.m. Tuesday 13th January 2026
First stage interviews: Friday 16th January 2026 (Online)
Second stage interviews: Tuesday 20th January 2026 (In person, London)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: Home Based with regular national travel
Since 1962 the National Autistic Society has been campaigning to transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people. In National Programmes we champion the rights and interests of autistic people and their families, making sure national policy and legislation to reflect their needs. We provide autism training and best practice services and want all autistic people to have access to services and support that fully meet their needs. We provide diagnostic services, training, accreditation, consultancy and conferences, designed to support all professionals and organisations.
The Supporter Fundraising team is responsible for managing and growing all supporter-led fundraising activity, including third-party challenge events, community fundraising, and our own portfolio of fundraising events. Together, our work generates over £1 million in income each year—vital funds that help the National Autistic Society achieve its mission: a society that works for autistic people.
Visit our website to find out more about who we are and what we do:
Who we are looking for:
We are seeking a proactive and creative Senior Events Fundraising Officer to join our dynamic team on a permanent basis.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about events fundraising and eager to take ownership of a diverse portfolio. You’ll play a key role in developing new fundraising events, supporting and inspiring colleagues, and delivering excellent supporter experiences that maximise income and impact.
The role will involve:
- Leading on a portfolio of owned and third-party fundraising events, including feasibility research, planning, marketing, participant recruitment, logistics, budgeting, and evaluation.
- Taking a lead role in the development of new fundraising events in collaboration with the Innovation Team, from research and proposals through to approval, delivery and evaluation.
- Providing first-class supporter care, ensuring participants feel valued and engaged, and that income and expenditure targets are met or exceeded.
- Working closely with marketing, press and PR colleagues to create and implement event promotion and communications plans, across both traditional and digital channels.
- Line managing and supporting Events Officers where appropriate, and deputising for the Events Fundraising Manager when required.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and event providers to ensure effective delivery and the best possible experience for supporters.
- Overseeing volunteer recruitment and stewardship plans to increase engagement and retention.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Experience of planning and delivering fundraising events, with proven ability to meet financial targets.
- Strong relationship-building skills, with confidence in working with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- A creative, innovative mindset and a passion for developing new fundraising opportunities.
- A commitment to delivering outstanding supporter care and improving supporter journeys.
This is a full-time, permanent role, for 35 hours per week. The salary for this position is £32,577 per year.
To view the full job description please click
What we can offer you:
- Auto-enrolled Pension Scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Excellent induction, training and development programme including training about autism and opportunities to attend our conferences
- Online staff discount scheme for a range of benefits such as cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan & shopping discounts for places such as Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys, Halfords, Nike, Apple and loads more!
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Life Assurance at 2 x base salary
- A portfolio of fantastic new salary sacrifices benefits and other flexible benefits private health, dental insurance, car salary sacrifice scheme, activity pass, holiday trading, enhanced pension & salary deduct loans (eligibility criteria may apply)
- Access to a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme & counselling programme
- Free access to the Headspace App – a global leader in mindfulness and you can enrol up to three friends or family for free!
- Eligibility for a Blue Light Card
Where you will be working:
City Road, London / Homeworking / Hybrid
(Up to 20% national travel, including some evenings and weekends, as required.)
About our application process:
When providing a supporting statement, please refer to the job description and person specification and include any information that shows your suitability for the role.
For more information about this job, please contact Jonathan Littledale – Events Fundraising Manager ( ########### )
We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
For some roles, successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks which will include additional references and criminal background checks.
Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from those with a diagnosis of autism.
The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.
We are an equal opportunities employer


