Senior research and policy officer jobs in Brentwood, essex
This is an exciting opportunity to join our highly motivated and passionate team as a Senior Finance Officer. This role is at the heart of the charity and perfect for someone who wants to develop their financial skills in the not-for-profit sector.
The successful candidate will have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and good knowledge of financial systems and processes. You will manage the day-to-day financials, produce financial reports and analysis, work across teams to produce the annual budget and quarterly reforecasts and be instrumental in the annual audit.
If you are pro-active, analytical, and excited about working in a growing organisation, we would love to hear from you.
At Sarcoma UK, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
Benefits:
- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- 25 days holiday entitlement per annum plus bank holidays and the working days between Christmas and New Year
- Additional day off for your birthday
- Volunteering day per year
- Enhanced sick, maternity and adoption pay
- Sarcoma UK Life Insurance Scheme
- Health and wellbeing:
- Health Cash Plan
- Therapy sessions
- Wellbeing Group
- Team activities throughout the year
- Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loan
Our Values:
- Pioneering we are leading the way to a better future for the sarcoma community.
- Together we are creating a community to make a difference for all those affected by sarcoma.
- Expert we use our expertise in understanding sarcoma to deliver better outcomes.
Duties and key responsibilities
Financial Administration and Bookkeeping
- Responsibility for maintaining all financial records and data accurately and within agreed systems, to include:Maintaining up-to-date records in Sage 50.
- Importing bank receipts into Sage from Raiser’s Edge NXT.
- Processing purchase invoices, card transactions, and payments, ensuring correct coding to nominal and departmental ledgers.
- Maintaining payment records and reconciling grant payments within Sage 50 and grant management software.
- Generating sales invoices and carrying out credit control on a regular basis.
- Ensuring prompt payment of invoices and preparing payments with the bank for review by the Director of Finance & Resources.
- Maintaining the expense management system in line with policies and ensuring timely authorisation and reimbursement.
- Ensuring accurate records of authorisation and financial approvals.
- Preparing and posting all month-end journals.
- Completing monthly reconciliations for all bank accounts.
- Working with the Database and Finance Officer to reconcile income between Sage 50 and the income spreadsheet on a quarterly basis.
- Maintaining organised financial files to support monthly reporting and the year-end audit.
- Updating and monitoring the VAT threshold spreadsheet, ensuring the organisation remains compliant and alerting the Director of Finance & Resources to any potential threshold issues.
- Reconciling and maintaining restricted funding and expenditure for projects.
- Covering the following duties when the Database and Finance Officer is on leave: monitoring income and updating the income spreadsheet daily; paying cheques and cash into the bank account in a timely manner.
- Supporting fundraising events, e.g. preparing card readers, paperwork, and reconciling cash.
Financial Reporting
- Producing timely and accurate monthly management accounts, accompanied by analysis, commentary, and project-level breakdowns.
- Providing analysis and ad-hoc financial information as required.
- Maintain and regularly update the restricted fund spreadsheet, ensuring accurate tracking of income, expenditure, and balances in line with donor and grant requirements.
Budget Management
- Supporting the preparation of the annual Excel-based organisational budget and quarterly forecasts.
- Participating in budget meetings with managers to ensure robust and realistic financial plans.
- Assisting project managers with the preparation of Excel-based project budgets.
Audit
Preparation for the annual audit and compliance with statutory financial reporting requirements, including:
- Preparing audit documentation and working papers in collaboration with the Director of Finance & Resources.
- Acting as the primary point of contact for auditors, coordinating documentation requests before and during audit week.
Other
- Ensuring financial policies and processes remain fit for purpose, recommending and implementing improvements where needed.
- Acting as the main point of contact for financial queries, with support from the Director of Finance & Resources.
- Carrying out any other duties reasonably required to support the effective financial management of Sarcoma UK.
- Adapting to the needs of a developing organisation and undertaking additional responsibilities as necessary.
Sarcoma UK is a national charity that funds vital research and offers information and support to anyone affected by sarcoma.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
Join the RCR Learning Team as our Operations Officer and play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and innovation. This is a central position supporting the team’s strategic objectives, governance, and day-to-day activities. You’ll lead operational improvement projects, manage key business processes, and deliver outstanding customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.
What You’ll Do
As Operations Officer, you’ll be at the heart of our operations, ensuring the team runs smoothly and efficiently. Key responsibilities include:
- Operational Leadership: Streamline daily activities, embed standard operating procedures, and drive efficiency improvements.
- Governance Support: Oversee governance structures, lead secretariat duties for committees, and ensure compliance with RCR policies.
- Project Management: Scope, initiate, and deliver projects aligned with strategic objectives, managing risks and timelines effectively.
- Data & Reporting: Manage CRM systems, produce evaluation reports, and ensure compliance with data protection legislation.
- Recruitment & Onboarding: Support recruitment of staff and voluntary contributors, ensuring a welcoming and consistent experience.
- Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues, subject matter experts, and external partners to deliver high-quality learning experiences.
About You
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has strong project management skills and thrives in a dynamic environment.
- Brings a proactive, solution-focused approach to operational challenges.
- Is passionate about continuous improvement and innovation.
- Communicates effectively with senior stakeholders and external partners.
- Has experience managing systems, processes, and governance activities.
Why join us
- Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and the specialities they work in every day!
- Hybrid working (60% working week can be done remotely)
- Modern working environment
- Equipment provided to work from home
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Excellent pension scheme
- Interest free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
We are looking for a dynamic and experienced programme manager who will oversee The Advice Workforce Development Fund (AWDF). AWDF is a collaborative programme dedicated to strengthening and sustaining the social welfare advice sector in London. The role will coordinate and run steering and advisory groups, and ‘task and finish’ groups, working with cross-sector stakeholders to enable the implementation of recent recommendations generated by research commissioned by the programme, and help with monitoring and evaluating the project and funded projects under this programme. The successful candidate will have strong project management skills, a commitment to social justice, and a track record of delivering impactful support to external partners.
The workforce development programme was created after working closely with a group of funders and advice sector representatives who are now steering group members. The programme has reached an exciting stage, as it transitions from a foundation-laying and research phase into more of a focus on influencing and implementation of the learning generated to date, while also maintaining and strengthening new and existing relationships. This role, with support from the Head of Sector Support and Grants and the CEO, will oversee the continued development and delivery of this exciting partnership into the longer-term. This role will also work closely with the Propel initiative under London Funders to ensure effective coordination of work is done at all levels.
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
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.
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!
We are looking for a full time Senior Paralegal to work alongside our Head of Regulation, dealing with concerns relating to our Registrants' fitness to practise. The role will support from initial receipt of concerns all the way through to final disposal of cases, including tasks such as taking witness statements, preparing bundles, working with Counsel and experts, setting up and clerking hearings as required.
For the right candidate, this is an exciting opportunity to develop legal skills and gain valuable experience of the full end to end Fitness to Practise process within a small healthcare regulator. For those who are working towards legal qualification, we are open to signing off qualifying work experience and can discuss this further at interview.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with relevant legal experience who is keen to join our small and friendly staff team. This is a hybrid role, with at least one day per week (Tuesday) in the office in Archway, London.
Applications must include both a CV and a cover letter to be considered, with the cover letter outlining how you meet each of the essential criteria.
Person Specification
Essential
1. Evidence of legal qualifications at least to degree level.
2. Relevant legal experience in interviewing witnesses and drafting witness statements.
3. Demonstrable experience in case handling.
4. Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Ability to work under pressure in a fast – paced environment.
7. Ability to compose documents and bundles in a succinct manner.
8. Ability to assimilate and understand complex regulatory legislation.
9. Ability to work flexibly in a small, close knit, multi-tasking team; working with colleagues and on own initiative with minimal supervision.
10. Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and data protection
11. Experience of using Microsoft Office packages, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook.
12. Willingness and flexibility to work some evenings, and occasional Saturday, to attend meetings or conferences (time off in lieu is given)
13. Commitment to BPC’s aims and objectives.
Desirable
1. Healthcare regulation experience and/or other regulatory settings.
2. Experience in undertaking investigations.
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.
Senior Practice Tutor
Join our team as a Senior Practice Tutor and make a difference to children and young people’s lives
Anna Freud is seeking a Senior Practice Tutor – Autism Spectrum Conditions and Learning Disabilities to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.
Our EDI commitment
We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.
We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.
As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.
What we offer
We offer a range of staff benefits and you can view them all on our careers page.
Alongside our benefits, this role gives you the chance to shape the next generation of clinicians working with autistic children, young people and those with learning disabilities. You’ll contribute to a high-profile NHS England–funded training programme delivered with UCL, strengthening your expertise while influencing clinical practice at a system-wide level. You’ll have protected time for academic work, meaningful contact with trainees, and a flexible hybrid set-up that balances in-person teaching with remote preparation and supervision.
What you’ll do
In this role, you’ll support the delivery, supervision and academic quality of a specialist postgraduate programme training clinicians to work with autistic children, young people and those with learning disabilities.
- Delivering and developing teaching, particularly skills-based workshops, across the Pg Dip programme
- Marking assignments and taking part in calibration workshops to ensure fair, consistent assessment
- Facilitating small Practice Tutor Groups, supporting trainees’ clinical skill development and monitoring their progress
- Providing personal tutoring, responding to trainee queries and supporting an inclusive, positive trainee experience
- Contributing to programme operations, attending team meetings and maintaining high standards in safeguarding, EDI and professional practice
What you’ll bring
You’ll be a strong fit for this role if you’re an experienced clinician in ASC/LD who brings confidence in teaching, supervision and supporting trainees, and can work collaboratively within a busy academic and clinical training environment.
- A recognised core mental health qualification plus specialist training in ASC/LD evidence-based therapies for children and young people
- Extensive clinical experience with autistic children, young people, parents and families, including work within CYPMH or wellbeing services
- Significant experience providing ASC/LD-specific clinical supervision and managing or overseeing practitioners
- Knowledge and experience of delivering clinical training or university-level teaching
- Strong organisational skills, the ability to work flexibly, manage deadlines, and create an inclusive, reflective learning environment
Key details
Hours: Part-time (7 hours per week)
Whilst this will usually be worked on Mondays during term time, there may be occasions where you are requested, or you may request, to work flexibly and on a different day of the week to support peak points in the academic cycle, e.g. to meet marking deadlines.
Salary: £52,000 FTE per annum, plus 6% contributory pension scheme
Location: Hybrid (a mixture of home/onsite working): staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours at our London site (4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH). Flexibility will be required to attend in-person teaching days during term time.
Contract type: Permanent
Next steps
Closing date for applications: Morning (10am), Monday, 05 January 2026. Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.
Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Monday, 05 January 2026. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Interviews: will be held in-person/remotely on Thursday, 08 January 2026.
How to apply: click on the 'apply now’ button to apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.
Our vision is a world where all children and young people are able to achieve their full potential.
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!
Race Against Dementia is a global charity founded by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart OBE to find preventions, treatments and cures for dementia – faster.
We fund and support pioneering early-career scientists around the world, giving them the tools, mentoring and Formula 1-inspired mindset to accelerate breakthroughs. From the UK to the USA, Australia to South Africa, our researchers are rethinking how dementia research is done – applying data science, AI and engineering to neuroscience in bold, collaborative ways.
This role sits within Race Against Dementia’s small, dynamic Fundraising and Marketing team, which raises income in the UK from individuals, major donors, trusts and foundations, and community fundraisers. The team works closely together to build awareness, inspire support, and deliver exceptional experiences for our donors and supporters.
Purpose of the Role
The Fundraising Officer plays a key role in delivering Race Against Dementia’s fundraising and marketing activity, helping to grow income and strengthen supporter relationships. The role combines operational excellence with creativity: managing systems, data and platforms to ensure effective delivery, while producing engaging content and stories that inspire action.
Duties and Responsibilities
Marketing and Communications
- Manage incoming communications to the fundraising team, ensuring timely, professional responses
- Maintain the CRM with up to date and accurate supporter information, and act as organisational lead on CRM best practice and management
- Set up dashboards and reporting systems in the CRM to monitor donor behaviours and patterns Provide regular updates and reports to the fundraising team on supporter behaviours, channel performance, trends etc. to inform strategy
Fundraiser communications and events
- Act as first point of contact for individuals and organisations fundraising for the charity
- Record and track all fundraising events and activities, implementing communication plans to welcome, support, and thank participants
- Work with the Public Fundraising and Marketing Lead to build digital and automated onboarding and stewardship journeys for community fundraisers
- Oversee the delivery of excellent stewardship for community fundraisers through responsive support, proactive communication and effective use of automated journeys to enhance their experience and results
- Build strategies to maximise fundraiser income, including targets, incentives etc.
- Lead on the planning and execution of fundraising engagement events, optimising the on-site experience and income generation potential.
- Support and coordinate fundraising volunteers for key engagement events, building a stewardship programme across the year
Fundraising Operations
- Manage our major fundraising platforms (e.g. Just Giving) to ensure data accuracy and compliance
- Support the management of our legacy and in memory donations, delivering thoughtful and sensitive supporter communications
- Work with the Finance Manager on monthly direct debits and income reconciliation.
- Undertake research to identify new supporter, donor, trust/foundation and HNW prospects aligned with our mission
Logistics and Administration
- Maintain records of fundraising materials and merchandise, reordering stock as needed.
- Oversee the relationship with the fulfilment house to ensure smooth delivery of goods and supporter packs
- Track and manage auction items and raffle prizes, monitoring usage and income
- Support the delivery of key Race Against Dementia events, providing logistical support and ensuring excellent supporter experiences
- Maintain team calendars, campaign planners, and shared resources to support smooth team operations
The Race Against Dementia office will be closed from 24 December to 5 January and we will respond to any enquiries on our return.
Please ensure that send a covering letter explaining why you are suitable for this role when submitting your CV.
Race Against Dementia identifies, funds and guides pioneering scientists from across the world.
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.
Position: Volunteering Development Senior Officer (Learning and Development)
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Office-based in London, with flexibility to work remotely
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
Are you passionate about empowering volunteers through learning and development? We’re looking for a Volunteering Development Senior Officer to design, implement, and evaluate effective learning solutions for over 3,000 volunteers and volunteer managers. You’ll play a key role in fostering a culture of continuous learning and improving the impact of volunteering across our organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver high-quality volunteer learning and development programmes, including induction and training sessions.
- Review and enhance existing learning resources and create new training packages for emerging volunteer roles.
- Collect and analyse data to inform improvements and embed best practices.
- Collaborate with internal teams and community hubs to ensure consistent delivery of training.
- Provide advice and guidance to staff and volunteers on all aspects of volunteer learning and development.
About You
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Experience working with virtual learning environments or learning management systems.
- A track record of developing and co-producing learning solutions, including eLearning and online events.
- Strong knowledge of volunteering and volunteer management.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to interpret data and use insights to drive continuous improvement.
Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 5th 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
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!
The Head of Policy and Advocacy will lead the strategic development and delivery of MCF’s policy, advocacy and research agenda.Join the UK’s leading network for Muslim-led charities, strengthening the capacity, voice and impact of nearly 300 organisations.
Job role: Head of Policy and Advocacy
Employer: Muslim Charities Forum
Salary:£42,000 – 45,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (4 days office-based, 1 day hybrid/remote)
Position: Fixed Term Contract, 3 years.
Location: London SE1.Nearest stations Waterloo, Lambeth North
Closing date for applications:16th December 2025, 5.00pm or until a suitable candidate is identified.
About Muslim Charities Forum (MCF)
Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) is the UK’s leading network for Muslim-led charities, strengthening the capacity, voice and impact of nearly 300 organisations. Guided by our pillars of Support, Connect and Represent, we champion excellence, transparency and social justice through resources, capacity-building, research and advocacy.
We work to tackle structural and funding barriers, influence government, policymakers and the wider sector, and build a more sustainable, equitable Muslim-led charitable landscape. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, we drive systemic change and amplify the contributions of Muslim-led organisations across society.
Role Purpose
The Head of Policy and Advocacy will lead the strategic development and delivery of MCF’s policy, advocacy and research agenda. The role involves shaping long-term strategy, building a robust evidence base, influencing government and policymakers, and representing MCF at senior levels across the charity, public and political sectors.
The postholder will engage proactively with central and local government, devolved authorities, and regional mayors, ensuring that the voices and experiences of Muslim-led organisations are represented in policy development and decision-making.
They will work collaboratively with MCF’s Communications, Partnerships, and Systemic Change and Sector Capacity teams to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach that delivers sustainable, long-term impact.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategy and Leadership
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Develop and deliver the next three-year Policy and Advocacy Strategy aligned with MCF’s organisational objectives.
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Provide strategic advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board on policy opportunities and risks.
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Lead and develop the Policy and Advocacy team, fostering a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative culture.
2. Policy, Research and Insight
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Monitor and analyse UK policy and regulatory developments affecting Muslim-led civil society.
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Oversee research, consultations and data-driven insight to inform MCF’s policy positions.
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Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, consultation responses and position statements.
3. Influencing and Stakeholder Engagement
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Lead MCF’s engagement with central government, local authorities, devolved administrations and regional mayors, as well as regulators and sector networks.
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Build and maintain strategic relationships with ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, think tanks and sector leaders.
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Coordinate MCF’s public affairs activity, including roundtables, Select Committee and APPG engagement, and representation at high-level external forums.
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Strengthen MCF’s profile as a credible and influential voice for Muslim-led civil society across all tiers of government and the voluntary sector.
4. Sector Capacity and Member Support
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Engage MCF’s members and Muslim-led organisations in collective policy development and advocacy.
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Design and deliver tools, training and resources to build members’ influencing capacity.
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Identify and advocate for structural solutions to sector-wide challenges, including funding inequality, regulatory barriers and intersectional disadvantage.
5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
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Develop and implement frameworks to assess the effectiveness and impact of MCF’s policy and advocacy work.
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Provide regular progress reports to the CEO.
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Ensure compliance with charity law, lobbying and regulatory requirements.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
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Significant experience (5+ years) in senior policy, advocacy or influencing roles within the UK charity or voluntary sector.
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Demonstrable success influencing government at national, local or devolved levels, achieving measurable policy or funding change.
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Strong understanding of the UK charity policy, funding and regulatory environment.
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Knowledge of the UK Muslim-led and/or faith-based civil society landscape.
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Experience amplifying marginalised voices and embedding lived experience into policy and advocacy work.
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Proven ability to lead teams and deliver organisational strategy.
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Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills, with strong political acumen.
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Commitment to social justice, equity and strengthening Muslim-led civil society.
Desirable Criteria
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Experience working with Muslim-led, faith-based or minority-led organisations.
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Understanding of intersectionality and its impact on underrepresented communities.
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Experience of research collaboration with academic institutions or think tanks.
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Proven track record in building partnerships for policy or advocacy initiatives.
Values and Behaviours
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Strategic and forward-thinking leadership.
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Collaborative and inclusive approach to diverse stakeholders.
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Resilience and adaptability in complex, fast-changing environments.
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Integrity and credibility in representing MCF and the wider sector.
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Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
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Excellent communication skills, particularly in amplifying underrepresented voices.
Additional Information
This is a senior leadership position. Occasional evening or parliamentary activities may be required, along with UK-wide travel.
What We Offer
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The opportunity to lead impactful change within one of the UK’s most dynamic faith-based networks.
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A collaborative, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
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Opportunities for professional growth, leadership, and innovation.
Application Information
To apply, please send a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a covering letter (max 1,000 words) explaining how you meet the essential criteria and your motivation and suitability for the post.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from candidates with lived experience of marginalisation and an understanding of Islamic ethos.
We reserve the right to withdraw this role once a suitable candidate is identified.
If you have not heard from us concerning your application within 6 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Interviews: Initial online short interview (stage 1), face-to-face in-office interview (stage 2).
No agencies.
UK residents only.Sponsorship is not possible for this post. References will be taken up prior to appointment including relevant ID checks.
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!
Join the leading UK network for British Muslim-led charities and community organisations! Building on your passion for social justice and sector improvement, support the growing sector, advocate for change for minority communities and the user-led organisations who support them.
Job role: Junior Policy and Advocacy Officer
Employer: Muslim Charities Forum
Salary: £29,000 –£32,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (4 days office-based, 1 day hybrid/remote)
Position: Fixed Term Contract, 3 years.
Location: London SE1. Nearest stations: Waterloo, Lambeth North
Closing date for applications: 16th December 2025, 5.00pm or until a suitable candidate is identified.
About Muslim Charities Forum (MCF)
Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) is the UK’s leading network for Muslim-led charities, strengthening the capacity, voice and impact of nearly 300 organisations. Guided by our pillars of Support, Connect and Represent, we champion excellence, transparency and social justice through resources, capacity-building, research and advocacy.
We work to tackle structural and funding barriers, influence government, policymakers and the wider sector, and build a more sustainable, equitable Muslim-led charitable landscape. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, we drive systemic change and amplify the contributions of Muslim-led organisations across society.
Role Purpose
The Junior Policy & Advocacy Officer will support the delivery of MCF’s policy, advocacy and research work. Working closely with the Head of Policy & Advocacy, they will contribute to policy monitoring, research projects, member engagement, and influencing activities across government, civil society, and the wider third-sector ecosystem.
This role is ideal for an early-career professional with strong analytical skills, a passion for social justice, and an interest in policy, research, and advocacy relating to the Muslim-led voluntary and community sector.
Key Responsibilities
1. Policy Monitoring and Research Support
• Track and summarise relevant UK policy, regulatory, parliamentary and sector developments related to civil society, charity regulation, funding, equity, inclusion and climate-related legislation or sustainability policy, reflecting MCF’s commitment to sector-wide awareness of climate action.
• Assist in drafting policy briefings, consultation responses, evidence submissions, and research summaries.
• Support the Head of Policy & Advocacy in compiling data and insights for reports, position statements and strategic documents. • Conduct desk-based research on thematic issues affecting Muslim-led and minority-led organisations.
• Monitor media commentary relevant to the British Muslim-led Voluntary and Community Sector and contribute to the preparation of responses, in collaboration with the Policy and Communications teams.
2. Advocacy and Influencing Support
• Support engagement with government stakeholders by preparing meeting briefs, background notes, and follow-up materials.
• Help coordinate MCF’s involvement in roundtables, APPG sessions, consultations, and external events.
• Maintain databases of stakeholders including parliamentarians, policymakers, think tanks, regulators and sector partners. • Support public affairs monitoring, including parliamentary questions, debates and committee activity.
• Contribute to MCF’s work on climate action awareness and sustainability by supporting advocacy messaging, stakeholder engagement or policy monitoring relating to sustainable practice across the Muslim charity sector.
3. Engagement with Members and Sector Stakeholders
• Assist in organising policy workshops, training sessions, and capacity-building resources for MCF’s members.
• Help collect insights, feedback and lived experience from member organisations to inform MCF’s policy positions.
• Respond to member enquiries relating to policy, regulation or advocacy support.
• Contribute to resources that help Muslim-led charities navigate regulatory and structural barriers.
• Support member-facing materials and capacity-building related to sustainability, climate awareness, or environmental good practice where required. 4. Communications and Content Support
• Draft accessible summaries of policy developments for newsletters, blogs, briefings or social media (in collaboration with the Communications team).
• Ensure policy messages are communicated consistently and clearly to internal and external audiences.
• Help prepare slides, visuals or short reports for senior-level advocacy engagements.
• Work with the Communications team to cntribute to external messaging that aligns with MCF’s media monitoring, research findings and sector commentary.
5. Administration, Coordination and Reporting
• Provide administrative support for the policy and advocacy workstream, including scheduling, minutes, organisation of meetings and events. • Maintain systems for tracking policy work, research outputs and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist with monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the impact of policy activities.
• Ensure compliance with internal processes and external regulatory requirements (e.g., lobbying regulations).
Person Specification
Essential
• Experience (including internships or volunteering) in policy, research, public affairs, community advocacy or a related area.
• Strong understanding of UK political, charity or social policy landscapes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarise complex information clearly.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to interpret data and produce evidence-informed insights.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to social justice, equity and strengthening underrepresented communities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small, fast-paced team.
• Sensitivity to issues affecting Muslim-led, minority-led or faith-based civil society.
• Awareness of key issues, legislation or trends relating to climate change or sustainability affecting civil society.
• Interest in media monitoring, public messaging or analysing public commentary related to the sector.
Desirable
• Experience working or volunteering within the voluntary sector, community organisations, or advocacy projects.
• Understanding of intersectionality and structural inequalities affecting minority and marginalised communities.
• Experience producing policy briefs, research notes or advocacy materials.
• Familiarity with parliamentary processes or government engagement.
• Lived experience relevant to the communities MCF represents.
Values and Behaviours
• Collaborative, inclusive and respectful approach to diverse stakeholders. Proactive, organised and self-motivated, with willingness to learn.
• Integrity and professionalism when representing MCF.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ability to amplify underrepresented voices with care and accuracy.
What We Offer
• Opportunity to develop skills in policy, research, advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Mentorship and learning from experienced senior leaders.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment.
• Chance to contribute to meaningful, systemic change within the UK’s Muslim led charity sector.
Application Information
If you are a change maker who wishes to help us empower the sector, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. We reserve the right to withdraw this role once a suitable candidate is identified.
If you have not heard from us concerning your application within 6 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Interviews: Initial online short interview (stage 1), face-to-face in-office interview (stage 2).
No agencies.
UK residents only. Sponsorship is not possible for this post. References will be taken up prior to appointment including relevant ID checks.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About King’s
The King’s community is dedicated to the service of society. King’s Strategic Vision 2029 sets out our vision for the future, shaped around five priority areas: educate to inspire and improve; research to inform and innovate; serve to shape and transform; a civic university at the heart of London; and an international community that services the world. Our ambitious Education Strategy sets out the actions that we must take to transform how we teach, how and where our students learn and how we support them during their time with us.
Within the Social Mobility & Widening Participation Department we believe all young people should be able to have high expectations for their future. This means equal access to education and career opportunities. We run programmes that aim to empower young people from under-represented backgrounds to access and succeed at university.
We are part of the Students & Education Directorate, a collection of wide-ranging professional services in place to support King’s students and their education. As a directorate we manage the student lifecycle from application to graduation and beyond, to ensure a coherent and seamless student experience and effective administrative processes, working closely with King’s faculties to do so.
About the role:
The Social Mobility and Widening Participation Senior Officer is a vital member of the department. The post-holder will lead on the development, delivery and evaluation of sustained outreach initiatives. They will also be involved in a range of other challenging projects run across the Social Mobility and Widening Participation Department.
The postholder will primarily work with pre-16 pupils and this will involve working collaboratively with and building strategic relationships with our partner schools and teachers.
The post holder will work closely with the wider team, student ambassadors and key partner staff.
This is an exciting opportunity for candidates looking for a career with social impact, and who wish to utilise their skills and expertise in working with young people. This is an opportunity to grow your skills in project management and stakeholder engagement.
We encourage applications from candidates who have experience from both within and outside of the Higher Education sector where they can demonstrate the skills needed to succeed in this role.
This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and we are hiring for two fixed term positions. One contract will end in August 2026 and the other in September 2026.
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
1. Relevant work experience and/or education: We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. Relevant work experience might include work in schools, charities or the university sector. Relevant educational experiences might include higher education in a related discipline, professional qualifications or other training
2. Experience working or volunteering with children or young people
3. Experience of undertaking and completing projects which require high levels of administrative and organisational skill
4. Ability to communicate complicated and specialist information orally and in writing to team members and programme participants
5. Ability to work with others in a team to deliver project aims and overcome challenges
6. Ability to use initiative and creativity to resolve problems, define clear outcomes for improvement and set out how progress and success will be measured
7. Ability to coach or train others on how to undertake specific tasks and give clear direction on desired outcomes
8. Ability to gather and manipulate data so that it can be interpreted by yourself and others
9. Ability to decide own pattern of work and manage own workload and resources over a long period
Desirable criteria
· Educated to degree or foundation degree level
· Understanding of the widening participation agenda and/or the role of higher education in social mobility
· Experience overseeing budgets and undertaking financial administration
Full details of the role and the skills and experience required can be found in the job description which is provided at the bottom of the page.
Further information:
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
Closing date: 11 January 2026.
