Senior Research Advisor Jobs in Belfast

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good.    

Last year alone, 14,000 professionals received our training. Over 80,000 adults at risk of serious harm or murder and more than 100,000 children received support through dedicated multi-agency support designed by us and delivered with partners. In the last six years, over 4,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change by interventions we created with partners, and that’s just the start. 

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

Role Summary

The Senior Research Analyst will be responsible for working with and supporting the Research Manager, and wider SafeLives Research, Evaluation & Analysis team. They will support the Drive Partnership to ensure our data and reporting remains rigorous and robust by taking a lead role on the ongoing research design, data collection, analysis, and delivery of our work.

They will manage, analyse, interpret, and present data and information to the Drive project team and local and national stakeholders in order to optimise the quality of implementation of the Drive model, ensure that the project achieves the greatest possible impact, and inform broader policy and practice in working with high risk/high harm perpetrators to disrupt abuse.

Benefits include a generous package including 25 days’ holiday per year plus public holidays, employee pension scheme with 4% employer contribution, Cycle2Work scheme, access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and Flexible Working.

If this challenge sounds as exciting to you as it does to us and you believe you have the qualities we have described, please take a look over the job description and submit a 500-word cover letter and CV.

Closing date: 9:00am on Wednesday 27th December 2023.

SafeLives is a committed provider of equal opportunities for all, please see our job description for full details.

No agencies please.

The organisation  

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

The Initiative:    

The WHO constitution, as well as several UN declarations on human rights guarantee the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of mental health, but legislation and policy on mental health in many countries currently fall short of laying the foundations to achieve this, and human rights violations, as well as accessibility issues, are particularly prevalent due to the prioritisation of institutional care over primary and community-based care and the existence of discriminatory legislation, such as the laws that criminalise suicide. It is these areas that UnitedGMH is keen to address as part of its new three year strategy moving forward. 

The Role: 

You have the opportunity to join this initiative, working as part of a global policy, advocacy and financing organisation that puts its national partners and persons with lived experience of mental health at the forefront of their advocacy efforts. You will work with the Policy, Advocacy and Financing Advisor and colleagues, to develop, coordinate, support and implement policy and advocacy projects including; influencing global, regional and national law and policy, conducting research, report writing, drafting policy briefs and positions, partnership building and management, supporting national partners with their advocacy and representing the organisation at online and in-person events, including at key global moments. 

You:

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

Responsibilities:

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

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

• Engagement of Persons with Lived Experience: ensure persons with lived experience of mental health conditions are provided opportunities to influence global and national policy through your projects 

• Grant and contract management: Support (and sometimes lead) the development of funding proposals for work on policy, advocacy and financing; track and report on grant deliverables.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reporting to:Policy, Advocacy and Financing Advisor

Experience:

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

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

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

• Demonstrable experience of having worked on health legislation and policy in low- and middle-income countries, including drafting, reviewing and/or having been part of consultative processes at a government level. 

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

Skills:

• Project management and reporting.

• Networking and relationship management

• Ability to perform research and report writing 

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.

• Grant Proposal Writing. 

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

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

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

• Ability to multitask and prioritise workload over short time frames

• Knowledge of foreign languages is desired but not mandatory.

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

Qualifications:

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

• Ability to work remotely and travel internationally

Application process

Ideally this role will be filled as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be organised on an ongoing basis. Early applications are therefore encouraged. 

The organisation  

Worldwide mental health conditions are increasing and depression alone is on track to be the leading disease burden by 2030. The world is not yet equipped to handle this growing crisis, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The global COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the urgency to improve access to, and investment in, mental health care for all. 

United for Global Mental Health is dedicated to creating a world that enables good mental health for all. We focus on what will make the most difference to global mental health, and we build whatever it takes to make that happen.

We unite: campaigners, practitioners, national organisations, businesses, people with lived experiences, funders, researchers, governments, and international bodies so that they can learn, collaborate and make greater progress together.

We incubate: Designing and setting up the initiatives that will make the most impact on global mental health and helping them to grow and ultimately flourish independently.

The Initiative:    

Poor mental health is a global crisis. Mental health conditions are increasing globally and depression alone is on track to be the leading disease burden by 2030. However, the world is not yet equipped to handle this growing crisis, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the majority of conditions occur. A team of global mental health, resource mobilisation, and advocacy experts have come together to develop the first global campaign for global mental health. Advocacy priorities for 2024 and beyond will include the integration of mental health into primary health care and the upskilling and development of the workforce for mental health.

The Role: 

You have the opportunity to join this new initiative, working as part of a small NGO as it builds and implements its global strategy. You will work with the Policy, Advocacy and Financing Advisor and colleagues, to develop and implement policy and advocacy projects and coordinate support including; research, report writing, briefing, partnership building and management, campaigning and government relations work. This work will be mainly focussed at the global level as well as supporting national partners with advocacy planning and implementation. 

You:

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

Responsibilities:

• Policy, advocacy & financing strategies: Helping design and implement global policy, advocacy and financing strategies. 

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

• Partners support: Help build and manage coalitions and partner relations with external stakeholders including governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, and research institutions. 

• Grant and contract management: Help develop funding proposals for work on policy, advocacy and financing and track and report on progress.

• Advocacy support: Helping guide and support national and global advocacy activities to connect national campaigning to effective advocacy initiatives. 

• Events: organise meetings, events and small gatherings of partners and other stakeholders. 

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

• Briefings: Preparing briefings for senior government officials, Ministers and other decision-makers as well as campaign partners as required. 

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

Reporting to:  Policy, Advocacy and Financing Advisor

Experience:

• You will have at least 5 years of experience working in country and/or global health policy, advocacy and/or financing for a UN agency, non-governmental organisation, think tank or decision-maker.

• You will have undertaken work related to health systems strengthening and have a track-record of research, brief writing and government engagement.

• A background in health,including mental health.

• Low-to-middle income country level experience of designing and/or implementing health programmes such as primary health care and/or disease specific programmes (e.g., HIV/TB, NCDs) and understand the bidirectional relationship between physical and mental health. 

• Low-to-middle income country level experience engaging with different stakeholders – governments, donors, civil society.

• Understanding of key donor government and/or national government health financing – international resource mobilisation and domestic resource. 

Skills:

• Grant proposal writing and project management and reporting.

• Ability to perform research and report writing 

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

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

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

• Ability to multitask and prioritise workload over short time frames

• Knowledge of foreign languages is desired but not mandatory.

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

Qualifications:

• You will have a degree in a relevant subject.

You will need to be able to work remotely and travel internationally.

Application process

Ideally this role will be filled as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be organised on an ongoing basis. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Job Purpose

To provide technical support to THET’s health systems strengthening work.
You will support the implementation of the global health workforce programme, providing
technical support to grant holders on health systems and health workforce development, and
input to the documentation and dissemination of research and learning on health workforce
interventions in LMICs.

In addition, the role will contribute to wider processes within THET, across our programmatic,
policy and advocacy work, and with our partners across the Health Partnership community,
providing high-quality technical support to the design and delivery of programmes and
research, which contributes towards systemic, long-term improvements in health systems.

Main responsibilities

1. Contribute to the development of THET’s health systems and health workforce strengthening
work, including through provision of high-quality technical support in the design and delivery
of THET’s programmes.

2. Support THET’s overall research portfolio, providing health systems and health workforce
research advice and contributing to the design, delivery and monitoring of research and
evaluation activities, including literature review, research protocol and tools development, data
collection methods (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods), data analysis, and synthesis and
dissemination of findings, in collaboration with the Research, Evidence and Learning and
External Engagement Teams.

3. Contribute to reflection and thinking across THET and the wider Health Partnership
community on strengthening Health Partnership contributions to HWF and health systems
strengthening,

4. Input and contribute to the design and delivery of THET learning events, with particular focus
on HWF and health systems strengthening, including conferences, skills building sessions,
webinars, and policy dialogue.

5. Seek out opportunities to present and disseminate programme learning and evidence of the
contribution of Health Partnerships to HWF and health systems strengthening.

6. Support THET staff and our external partners to create learning opportunities around the
discussion of health systems strengthening approaches by, for example, contributing to our
conferences and events, and policy discussions.

7. Contribute to the development of learning products – blogs, talking/discussion
points/briefing notes, reports, evidence, technical and policy briefs, publications, presentations,
skills building sessions and webinars to disseminate and support the uptake of research
findings and programme results and learning in external for a and meeting with external
partners, in collaboration with Research, Evidence and Learning and External Engagement
Teams.

8.Support the development of Terms of Reference and implementation of
consultancies/technical assistance.

9.Support stakeholder engagement and relationship building with priority technical partners
and programme stakeholders, and other health workforce and health systems strengthening
partners and experts.

10.Support the review of partner reporting and reporting to funders.

11.Participate in THET team and external programme meetings.

12.Undertake other activities that might reasonably be requested by the Technical Director to
support the delivery of KPIs and Strategic Plan.

What we offer

• Flexible working hours
• Access to a coworking space in Liverpool Street
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave benefits
• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• 25 days annual leave plus three days off between Christmas and New Year
• Annual learning & development allowance
• 5% employer pension contribution when an employee contributes 3%.
• Cycle to work scheme
• A friendly, supportive work environment.

How to apply:

Candidates can apply by submitting a cover letter stating why they are interested in this position, what they would bring to the role and how they fit the person's specification.

This letter should be submitted with a CV through the application link by midnight Sunday 17th, December 2023 with ‘Technical Services Manager’ in the subject line.

THET is an equal-opportunity employer, and any form of canvassing will lead to
automatic disqualification.

This post is UK based. Non-EC nationals will require current and valid permission to
work in the UK

You can learn more about our work on our website.

We’re looking for a new Country Director to provide leadership and direction to the MS Society Northern Ireland.

Director for Northern Ireland
Hours: Full-time (35 hours a week)
Contract: Permanent 
Location: Office-based in Belfast, BT7 with flexibility to work remotely.  
Salary: £61,404 per annum plus excellent benefits  

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 

You’ll be responsible for taking forward our corporate and functional strategies in Northern Ireland. As a senior leader in the organisation, you’ll be contributing to the leadership, planning and policy formulation of the MS Society across the UK.

You’ll also act as the principal spokesperson for the MS Society in Northern Ireland and the main advisor to the MS Society Northern Ireland National Council.

You’ll play an important role in developing our strategic approach to supporting people affected by MS. Helping us to ensure that our priorities align with the needs and aspirations of the MS community.

We’re looking for the successful candidate to be able to demonstrate that they understand the challenges that people with MS face.

You’ll be enthusiastic and passionate about the work we do and you’ll be focused on delivering positive outcomes for the MS community in Northern Ireland and UK wide.

We recognise the significant and excellent contributions; experience; and skills our employees bring to the MS Society.

Working with external pay and reward consultants, we’re taking active steps this year to review our employees’ pay and benefits package. Ensuring we’re aligned with the most accurate and up-to-date benchmarks for the UK charity sector.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Thursday 4th January 2024

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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 
• 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
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme 
• Health cash plans to help offset the cost of health care for you and your family 

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

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.

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.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 17th December 2023

Location:Remote (reporting to line manager in GMT+2 with weekly meetings with colleagues in EST)

Reporting to: Operations Director

Annual salary:  $70,000 - $110,000 USD

Contract type:  Permanent

Working hours: Full-time

Candidate level:  Management

Background

The Climate Emergency Collaboration Group (CECG) is a regranting collaboration made up of some of the world's largest climate philanthropic funders. With a mission to drive climate action, CECG uses their convening and philanthropic power to facilitate stronger collaboration, coordination, and campaigning from the global climate movement around the UN climate talks and other international summits. CECG is fiscally sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), a 501(c)(3), as a Sponsored Project within its charitable-giving fund.

Purpose of role

As CECG grows with the need for climate action, we are seeking a brand-new Finance Manager to join the developing team. This is a full-time position for a qualified financial professional to establish, organise and run the financial processing, analysis and reporting function of the organisation. As part of this role, the incumbent will manage all aspects of CECG’s revenue streams, grant streams, annual budgeting process, forecasting and cash flow. A seasoned analyst who has experience in streamlining processes, implementing systems and building strong internal controls, they should plan to work in close collaboration with the Director of Operations, Executive Director, Programme Directors, and CECG’s fiscal sponsor Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA). 

The financial manager should lead and evolve the financial and accounting function as a strategic and responsive team member, ensuring that CECG has effective systems, GAAP compliant policies, procedures and processes to fully support its core operating model. Timely and accurate financial reports should support organisational decision making, comply with donor reporting, internal and external standards and the regulatory environment.

Primary responsibilities

Financial reporting:

● Interpret and review financial information and analyse monthly financial data.

● Support/prepare financial reports to external funders in accordance with grant agreement deadlines.

● Develop and distribute management reports on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis with variance analysis.

● Prepare cash flow reports, burn-rate analysis, financial trends and projections.

Budgeting and forecasting:

● Support the development of budgets for funding requests and funding applications.

● Lead the annual budgeting process with development, review and amendments to forecasts for 3-year strategic plans.

● Monitor revenue and expenses for all income streams on a monthly basis and develop updated forecasts.

● Analyse expenditure trends and suggest cost effective ways to reduce or maintain spending.

Financial management:

● Conduct monthly reconciliation of all accounts and ensure compliance with accounting standards and policies.

● Review invoices and expense reports and general ledger reports and identify any misallocations.

● Manage compliance with funder’s terms and conditions, deliverables, monitor spending, request amendments, and plan spend-out.

● Monitor and support the fiscal sponsor, to ensure that grant and vendor records are maintained with required and appropriate documentation, payments are processed on time, and necessary approvals are in place.

● Support grant making with assistance in budget development and monitoring and ensuring compliance with funding awards and agreements.

● Ensure grant compliance by reviewing the grant agreements, accounting practice and proper coding of revenues and expenses to grants.

● Assist with the preparation of schedules, analysis and other documentation for RPA and grant specific audits.

Financial systems, policies and procedures: 

● Develop, review and update CECG’s financial policies aligned to fiscal sponsor. 

● Research and explore suitability of new financial software systems that improve accuracy of financial data and enhance analytics.

● Introduce and implement new financial systems that streamline processes and automate reporting.

● Develop and implement strict internal controls.

● Develop, review and update financial and grant making procedures in accordance with donor regulations and RPA policy.

● Keep knowledge levels updated on regulatory, statutory and tax environment as well as financial system improvements and trends.

● Develop and implement strategies that work to minimise financial risk.

Relationship management:

● Build effective working relationships internally and externally.

● Provide high-quality financial support for delivery of programme strategy and plans.

● Develop strong working relationships with senior leadership to support data driven decision making. 

Profile

The following offers an aspirational view of our ideal candidate profile; however, we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of related experience with similar responsibilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of budget development, financial reporting, US GAAP, cash management, grant management, non-profit finance and accounting regulations, taxation and regulatory legislation.  
• Familiarity with grant making, charitable funds, or fiscal sponsorship preferred.

Skills

• Ability to effectively communicate accounting and finance concepts to non-finance partners and staff.

· Proficient in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Table, VLookUp and other advanced functions.

· Working knowledge of Netsuite, Vena SP&A tool, Fluxx is an added advantage.

• Excellent analytical skills - detail and data oriented.
• Negotiation skills and the ability to develop strong working relationships.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills. 
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines with quality deliverables.
• Ability to adapt to fast-changing environment and remain flexible in a growing organization.
• Strong self-management skills and resilience in dealing with challenges.
• Good judgment, resourcefulness and ability to problem-solve and troubleshoot.
• Confidence in decision-making ability and providing suggestions in a constructive manner.
• Work independently while providing guidance and training to others on analyzing data from multiple sources to draw appropriate conclusions and make suitable recommendations.

Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related fields.
• CA/CPA/ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification.

The deadline for application is Sunday 17th December 2023.

This is a rolling process, please apply as soon as possible.

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Daryl Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required; irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability or sexual orientation.