Senior researcher jobs in cardiff

This role will play a key part in supporting MMHA’s successful campaigning, including supporting our maternal mental health councils project, and helping drive change so that women, birthing people, babies and families affected by maternal mental health problems can access the right care, at the right time, without discrimination.

Job purpose

Support planning, implementation, and evaluation of MMHA campaign and policy work to improve perinatal mental health care systems, policy and practice in the UK.

Main responsibilities

• Support policy activities relating to MMHA’s Maternal Mental Health Councils project.
• Assist with the production of campaign resources, including desk research, drafting copy, and proof reading.
• Read and summarise policy information, such as reports and carry out data analysis, to support MMHA’s evidence base.
• Lead political monitoring, keeping abreast of tracking relevant policy and political developments to identify opportunities and risks for MMHA’s campaigns and policy priorities.
• Support MMHA’s campaigning across the devolved nations, working with local stakeholders in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to inform, amplify and facilitate campaign activities.
• Hold knowledge of parliamentary procedure and systems to ensure strategic and targeted influencing work, supporting relationships with parliamentarians, including providing clear communications.
• Ensure MMHA’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion runs throughout MMHA’s campaigning and policy work.
• Maintain relationships with range of stakeholders to support MMHA’s campaigning and influencing, including MMHA members, parliamentarians, champions and academics.
• Support campaigning communications activities, including media and social media support, website editing and writing copy for articles or newsletters.
• Keep a library of policy resources and an up-to-date bank of statistics and evidence to support internal and external use.
• Assist the Head of Campaigns and Policy and wider team with administrative and other tasks, including the organisation and facilitation of meetings and events and responding to routine enquiries.
• Help support MMHA projects as required. 
• Work with the team on campaign evaluation.
• Maintain a diary of key campaign dates and events.
• Represent the MMHA at events as required.

Please see the attached job pack for further details. 

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit:

1. A CV (maximum 2 sides of A4)
2. A cover letter (maximum 2 sides of A4)

Please note: We are expecting a large number of applications for this role. Applications exceeding the page limits (2 sides of A4 per document) will not be considered. In addition, to help with anonymising applications, please only include your initials in your CV and cover letter – please do not include your full name or a photograph.

What to include in your cover letter

Please start your cover letter with:

• Please address how you meet the first six points of the essential skills and experience of the person specification.
• A brief summary of your experience working with civil servants, MPs and decision-makers.
• An example demonstrating your interpersonal skills and ability to engage with wide and diverse groups.

Feel free to then share your broader interest in the role and what additional qualities you would bring.

Where to send your application

• Please submit your CV and covering letter to the email address provided in the attached job pack.
• The deadline for applications is 10am on Thursday 16 October 2025.
• Applications submitted after this time or not following the outlined process will not be considered.

Interview details

First interviews are expected to take place online Thursday 6 November 2025.

POST

Finance and Operations Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR

Overseeing Operations at every level of the organisation, with line management responsibility for some of the team, Project and Workstream Coordinators (approximately 5 direct reports) plus some external consultants and contractors.

SALARY & HOURS OF WORK

Part Time – 4 days a week (30 hours)

Salary: Gross £40,000 pro rata £32,000

Term - Permanent 

Annual Leave Entitlement - 31 days including public and bank holidays Pro Rata

Pension: Workplace pension contributions of 5% per month will be paid by NUM

LOCATION OF THE POST HOLDER 

The post holder will be predominantly remote working but will be required to attend the head office and drop-in in Manchester, drop-in spaces in Glasgow and London, and support staff members nationally. The post involves some travel throughout the UK and some work outside of office hours.  All equipment required for remote working will be provided and costs for travel will be covered.

ROLE SUMMARY

We are looking for a Finance and Operations Manager to support the CEO in the day-to-day running of our charity. The NUM CEO develops the overall vision of the organisation, while the Operations Manager is responsible to carry out the vision. 

To be successful in this role, you should have experience as a manager in a position of public trust, have excellent financial, organisational, and communications skills, as well as being a problem-solver with work experience in high-pressure work environments. The Finance and Operations Manager must be versatile in their understanding of the larger vision and as well as the fine details and tactics needed to achieve NUM's goals.

The successful candidate will work in an agile manner to ensure the charity continues to be proactive and innovative, while also being responsive to the changing landscape within the sector and the international sex worker rights and safety movement. As part of supporting the operations of NUM, the successful candidate will provide resources, information and support to NUM Managers and Coordinators across diverse projects, workstreams and teams, to achieve aspects of the organisation’s mandate of 'ending all forms of violence against sex workers' and eliminating the conditions that lead to poverty and survival sex work.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• At least 3 years' work experience as a Manager, Project or Programme Manager or similar role that requires oversight of a whole system, business, operation or organisation Experience leading remote or hybrid teams is desired. This includes time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, lead team meetings and support members to manage resources, timelines and project budgets, etc. 

• At least two years’ experience in grant writing and fund development, as well as in financial management, with a demonstrated ability to co-develop budgets, cashflow forecasts and financial reporting as well as oversee banking activities and work with accountants and Trustees to ensure NUM’s financial health.

• Knowledge of the charity sector, the day-to-day running of a charity, business or similar organisation, and familiarity with the work of National Ugly Mugs and other sex worker-serving and sex worker-led organisations.

• Excellent leadership and delegation skills and experience. 

• Ability to support and execute on elements of NUM's policies and strategic plan. 

• Experience and training in Safeguarding and the ability to integrate appropriate safeguarding into all aspects of NUM services.

• Exemplary critical thinking and problem-solving skills and experience.

• Excellent IT skills and familiarity with CRM systems, applications and digital platforms and services, particularly Google Workplace, QuickBooks, the Microsoft Office Suite, as well as Slack, Trello, and other project management programs and tools.

• Experience in Human Resource Management and monitoring performance across diverse teams. 

• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills, with the ability to engage in knowledge translation within NUM and with external partners, funders and other stakeholders. 

• A demonstrated ability to be discrete and confidential as part of working on sensitive issues within a diverse staff team, and to be tactful and strategic in challenging social and political climates.

Summary

The Charity Spark is looking to appoint a Strategic Fundraising Consultant to expand our fundraising support for clients across the UK. This pivotal role will be a strategic fundraising lead, working with a diverse portfolio of clients to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies. You will advise on a range of income generation methods, including trust and foundation grants, legacy giving, major donor philanthropy, and corporate partnerships.

A key part of your role will be to provide strategic development, helping clients diversify their income streams and build sustainable fundraising programmes. This position is critical as we expand our team to meet growing demand. We are a tiny, collaborative team committed to ensuring brilliant outcomes for our clients and stability for our team.

The Charity Spark are a consultancy for the non-profit and charity sector. We work with clients from across the charity sector and help them do more good daily through excellent fundraising and transformative impact measurement.  That is, we help them prove they do what they say they do and then use that proof to raise more money, so they can continue the work that they do.

We are committed to tackling inequalities and to making The Charity Spark an inclusive and diverse workspace. The Charity Spark’s purpose is core to every part of our business.

We’re keen to find the right people for the future of The Charity Spark, so we’d love to talk to you if you’re interested in us or this role, but want to know a bit more before applying.

Important Details. What you’ll get:

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 FTE (3 days per week is £24,000-27,000 per year)

Hours: Up to 3 days per week. We keep core office hours of 8:30am-6pm however this role does not require the holder to work solely within these hours. We will work with you to find a working pattern which suits your needs and lifestyle as well as the needs of our business and clients.

Benefits: We will provide you with a laptop if required and equipment for you to work comfortably at home, as well as a monthly contribution towards your home broadband contract. We offer a company pension scheme and an employee assistance programme. We believe in the power of chocolate and tea!

Commission structure: Recognising the important role all our team play in client relationships, and in securing new contracts, TCS operates a commission structure which rewards staff who work on a successful client proposal.

Holiday: 22 days plus bank holidays (FTE contracts – pro rata for PT) and your birthday off. 

Volunteering: We encourage our employees to volunteer so we will provide you an additional 2 days (FTE) a year volunteering leave.

Training and development: We want to invest in our staff team so we will provide you with an annual budget for training courses and books to enhance your skills.

Employment status: Fixed term contract of one year with permanent contract to be discussed.

Location: The Charity Spark is based in Winchester. This role is predominantly home-working with an expectation of regular co-working (around 2 days per quarter and typically in Winchester although location may vary).

Responsible to: Director

What you’ll be doing:

1. Fundraising

1. • Develop and Lead Fundraising Strategies: Create bespoke, multi-stream fundraising strategies for a range of clients. This includes capital appeals and other large-scale projects, helping clients raise significant funds for transformative goals.
   • Income Diversification: Advise clients on how to diversify their fundraising portfolio, reducing reliance on any single income source and building resilience.
   • Trust and Foundation Fundraising: While the role is broader, you will still oversee and deliver trust fundraising work, including researching funders, writing bids and proposals, and supporting clients to steward donors effectively. You will also mentor and upskill clients and their teams on best practices.
   • Support the Director with developing strategic resources for fundraising including digital courses, blogs and downloadable resources for charities.
   • Client Management and Support: Serve as a senior point of contact for clients, providing expert advice, hands-on support, and strategic guidance throughout their fundraising journey.

2. Business Development

· Deal with client enquiries in an efficient and timely manner.

· Support the Director with onboarding new clients.

· Liaise with clients to gain testimonials and write client case studies.

· Research opportunities for new business products and/or clients.

· Support with B Corp certification process and improve The Charity Spark’s impact as a company.

· Assist on the organisation of team events and away days, alongside the Director.

About you:

• Experienced Fundraising Leader: You have a proven track record of success with five or more years of experience in fundraising. You demonstrate the ability to develop and execute effective, multi-stream strategies. You can tell us about fundraising successes you have been an important part of.
• Strategic Thinker: You are adept at seeing the bigger picture, identifying growth opportunities, and creating long-term plans for organisations. You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a creative growth mindset.
• Diverse Fundraising Knowledge: You have demonstrable hands-on experience in at least one of the following areas: major gifts, legacy, and/or trust fundraising. Experience with capital appeals or with Christian charities/churches is highly desirable.
• Practical skillset: Target-driven, with experience of budget-setting, financial processes, monitoring and reporting outcomes across income streams. You have a practical understanding of fundraising and charity regulation and best practice regarding prospecting, stewardship, and reporting, together with IT and database skills including knowledge of CRMs.
• Excellent Communicator: You have a talent for using words powerfully, with excellent written communication and presentation skills. You can build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, clearly communicating complex ideas and inspiring confidence.
• Proactive and Results-Oriented: You are target-driven and have a proven track record of meeting fundraising goals. You are able to balance competing priorities and work under pressure, with the ability to anticipate and formulate solutions to problems.
• Comfortable in a small team with an entrepreneurial spirit: we are a small growing business led by our founder. You will have a passion for working with a business with a strong social mission and looking for a positive purpose in the company you work for.

We want to encourage those with a disability or neurodiversity who may experience difficulties with some forms of communication to apply and tell us how we could help you be the best version of you in the workplace. Contact us to discuss how we can make the application process accessible for you.

At Viva, we want children everywhere to have life in all its fullness. Viva inspires, supports and connects networks of churches and community-based organisations to work together to make a bigger, better and longer-lasting impact in the lives of children.

We do this by providing coaching, supporting programme implementation, helping them access funding, creating tools to measure impact, and facilitating a global community of learning.

As Viva's Finance & Operations Manager, you will ensure the smooth running of the organisation’s finance and operational systems. You’ll be in a hands-on role, responsible for day-to-day bookkeeping, financial administration, and supporting core operational processes for the UK charity and overseas entities. Working alongside the COO and Finance Director, you will help ensure Viva remains financially sound, compliant and efficient. Through all this, you will play a vital role in making it possible for Viva to achieve its goal of enabling more children to live life in all its fullness.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Finance: undertaking and managing the efficient day-to-day operation of Viva’s finance function 
• Operations: ensuring the effective operation of our logistics, IT infrastructure and data

This role will suit you if:

• you have a demonstrated track record of financial management experience
• you are experienced in managing operational systems, in particular IT and data protection
• you have an accountancy qualification e.g. minimum AAT Level 3 
• you are a great problem solver with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
• you are looking to join a welcoming, creative, supportive and international team

Location: this role can be remote, hybrid or office-based in Viva’s Oxford office with occasional travel to the office or other locations in the UK

Hours: 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday

Salary: £40,000 per annum

Reporting to: Finance Director

How to apply: Take a look at the full job description and person spec in the Job Information Pack and then click the CharityJob Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and cover letter and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills. Please note that you will need the right to live and work in the UK to apply for this role.

Key dates: the closing date will be midnight on Sunday 26th October 2025. Interviews will be held online on Thursday 6th November 2025.