Senior researcher jobs in edinburgh

About Us 

Down Syndrome UK (DSUK) is a national parent led charity, actively supporting over 5,000 families with a child or young person with Down syndrome. Our mission is to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives, ensuring they reach their full potential. 

Through our flagship initiative, Positive About Down Syndrome (PADS), we provide comprehensive support from prenatal care through adulthood. We equip healthcare providers and educators with essential training and resources, including our renowned #pants4school program, which helps children achieve independence in toilet training. 

At DSUK, we are committed to advocating for equality and inclusion, and driving impactful change through education and campaigning. 

We are growing our team to strengthen our fundraising operations and diversify our income. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping our income generation strategy and building meaningful relationships with funders and corporate partners. 

Role Overview 

We are seeking a proactive, strategic, and driven individual to lead our grant and bid writing function while also developing and managing relationships with corporate donors and partners. You will work closely with senior leadership to secure vital income through trusts, foundations, and businesses that align with our mission. 

Key Responsibilities 

Grant & Bid Writing (50%) 

• Research and identify suitable funding opportunities from trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies. 

• Write compelling, evidence-based grant applications and funding proposals. 

• Manage a pipeline of funding opportunities, ensuring deadlines are met. 

• Develop and implement an impact reporting strategy for grant and bid writing. 

• Monitor and report on funded projects in collaboration (using Salesforce) with delivery teams. 

• Maintain relationships with funders through regular updates, impact reports, and renewal applications. 

Corporate Fundraising & Partnerships (50%) 

• Implement our corporate fundraising strategy to increase income from businesses. 

• Identify and approach potential corporate partners, managing outreach and engagement. 

• Manage and cultivate existing partnerships with companies and organisations. 

• Create tailored proposals, sponsorship packages, and partnership materials. 

• Collaborate with the marketing team to promote partnerships and joint campaigns. 

• Organise and support corporate fundraising events and staff engagement opportunities. 

• To maintain excellent supporter stewardship and cultivation including thanking supporters and supporter development communications. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Proven experience in writing successful funding bids and managing grant applications. 

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills. 

• Ability to write persuasively and tailor messaging for different audiences. 

• Organised, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines. 

• Passion for the mission of Down Syndrome UK and a commitment to inclusion. 

Desirable 

• Experience working in a small charity or growing organisation. 

• Knowledge of disability or education-related sectors. 

• Familiarity with CRM systems (such as Salesforce for non-profits) and impact reporting. 

• Experience in corporate fundraising, CSR, or business development. 

What We Offer 

• Working from home. 

• Flexible working arrangements. 

• Supportive and inclusive working environment. 

• Opportunity to make a real impact in a growing, ambitious charity. 

• Training and professional development opportunities. 

Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) 

Location: Workplace Offer; Hybrid Working

The position is offered on a 0.6 FTE basis (21.75 hours per week). This role will be home-based but will require travel to Edinburgh and/or other parts of Scotland for in-person meetings as required.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in children's lives through impactful policy and public affairs engagement? Are eager to develop your skills working with Scottish Government, MSPs, and other key decision-makers in Scotland? If so, we want to hear from you. 

Barnardo's is looking for a Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) to help shape our influencing in Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone eager to build on their existing knowledge and experience with policy influencers in Scotland while playing a pivotal role in creating positive, lasting change for children, young people, and families. 

In this role, you'll work closely with our Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead (Scotland) to implement our influencing plan. You'll help raise Barnardo's Scotland's profile among key stakeholders and policy influencers. You'll be involved in: 

• Monitoring key developments within the Scottish policy landscape 

• Managing relationships and liaising with stakeholders at all levels 

• Conducting research and producing reports to support our policy objectives 

• Supporting reactive policy work to respond to emerging issues 

• Organising events to showcase Barnardo's vital work and engage decision-makers 

Your efforts will ensure that the voices of children, young people, families, and our services are central to our influencing activities in Scotland.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the charity uniting for a life unlimited for all people with cystic fibrosis. We fund vital research, improve care, speak out and race towards effective treatments for all. Cystic Fibrosis Trust is here to make sure everyone with cystic fibrosis can live without limits.  
 
Are you a passionate and organised Events Manager or looking to develop your career at manager level? Would you like to join a team that’s flexible, reliable and enthusiastic, whilst being determined to deliver positive impact for people with cystic fibrosis? Then we have an exciting opportunity for you! 
 
We are currently looking for an Events Manager to manage and deliver a portfolio of fundraising challenge events. This is a rewarding role that comes at a time when there is significant change and progress for those living with cystic fibrosis. 
 
Sitting within our Community and Events Fundraising team reporting to the Senior Events Development Manager, you will focus on events planning, the delivery of exceptional supporter stewardship, relationship building and retention and working collaboratively across the organisation to maximise events fundraising opportunities. 
 
In this role, you will:
 

• Deliver excellent events experiences for Team CF participants at high profile events such as the London Marathon, Great North Run and London Landmarks Half Marathon
• Lead the two Events Coordinators in the development and implementation of our challenge events portfolio
• Work within a vision of exceptional supporter stewardship for events participants, designing and implementing supporter journeys with particular emphasis to both digital and personal touch points

 
To be the right candidate for this role, you will:

• Have significant experience in third sector and/or events environments
• Have effective project and mass event management experience
• Have an in-depth understanding of Gift Aid and fundraising codes of practice
• Be able to work flexibly and collaboratively with a range of people
• Understand the legal and health and safety requirements of mass event organisation 

 
This role will require travel throughout the UK for challenge events. You will be able to take Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) for this and claim travel, hotel and subsistence allowances. 
 
The team all currently work from home and regularly keep in touch with online team meetings, individual catchups as required, as well as in person.
 
We will provide you with either London Weighting or a Home Allowance to support costs of travelling to work or working from home, a laptop, mobile phone and any other essential equipment needed for your role.
 
We offer a range of benefits including flexible working, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (this will be pro-rata for part time staff), opportunities for learning and development, pension, healthcare cash plan and more.
 
Closing date for completed applications -  9am on Wednesday 2 July 2025
 
Interviews expected – Week commencing 14 July 2025
 
We reserve the right to bring forward or extend the closing date if necessary.  Therefore, if you are interested in this role, please submit your application as early as possible.
 
Please note you will need to have the right to work in the UK before starting work with us and we will check this.
 
No agencies please.
 

For more details about the job and requirements, please visit our website or use the application button provided.

 
Cystic Fibrosis Trust aims to be an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, can be themselves and achieve their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain staff with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives; particularly people who have cystic fibrosis; people who identify as being from an ethnic minority group, as LGBTQ and people with disabilities.
 
It is our policy not to discriminate against any person because of their age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability (physical and mental), race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation or union membership.
 
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Are you an accomplished and innovative leader with a proven track record, looking for a unique opportunity to dedicate one day a week to something genuinely exciting and impactful? Do you have extensive experience in the charity or related sectors and a desire to apply your strategic thinking and networks to drive forward pioneering initiatives?

The Good Faith Foundation is seeking an experienced and visionary individual to join the foundation on a part-time basis as a Charity Development Lead. This is not a standard development role; it's designed for someone with significant expertise who wants to contribute strategically and drive innovation within the Foundation. The successful candidate will help the foundation explore new avenues and shape the future direction of our work on specific, high-impact projects. 

This role offers:

• A unique opportunity to apply your wealth of experience to exciting, innovative projects with genuine potential for impact.
• The chance to work strategically on complex societal challenges with significant autonomy.
• The opportunity to make a significant impact on society's most difficult problems with a limited time commitment.
• The chance to collaborate with experienced professionals dedicated to social change at a national strategic level.ch

We’re looking for a confident and well-organised fundraiser to help manage and grow our corporate partnerships. You’ll develop relationships with existing and new business supporters, deliver engaging communications, and support the growth of income from companies, all while helping to protect butterflies, moths and the environment we all depend on.

Job Purpose
• Managing and growing relationships with existing corporate donors
• Identifying and developing new corporate support
• Providing an outstanding supporter experience for our corporate supporters

Main Responsibilities
1. To directly manage a portfolio of corporate supporters, ensuring excellent stewardship and customer experience in order to meet agreed income targets and KPIs and maximise income for BC.

2. Develop and prepare tailored cases for support, proposals, reports and bespoke updates and communications to donors.

3. Identify, nurture, develop and manage new and existing corporate supporters including producing and communicating inspiring funding opportunities aimed at specific organisations.

4. Negotiate and deliver partnership agreements ensuring delivery against agreed targets and a good return on investment for the charity.

5. Monitor income targets and activities for Trading and Corporate fundraising including reporting to the BC Trading Company Board.

6. In conjunction with the Digital Manager, manage BC’s website shop portals and commercial partnerships to ensure a good level of royalties, proactive marketing, and supply of ethically sourced and sustainable goods.

7. Liaise with Communications and PR Team to ensure effective promotion of corporate and business agreements and timely reporting back on campaigns.

8. Update and maintain records of all business and corporate approaches, communications and agreements on the CRM and appropriate files.

9. Advise Branch volunteers where they seek to establish business support for their activities.

10. Where required, develop and/or follow policies and procedures on due diligence, data management, account management, stewardship, and reporting.

About Chapter One

Chapter One is a dynamic, growing charity with a vision of a world in which all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive. Our mission is to close the reading gap by providing children with one-to-one support at the time they need it most. 

Our unique Online Reading Volunteer programme currently supports around 3,000 children a year. It pairs disadvantaged, struggling five to eight-year old (KS1) readers with reading support volunteers who come from over 140 local and national businesses. The volunteer ask is very focused: readers commit 30 minutes a week to read with a child using a bespoke digital platform for an entire academic year. The results are transformative, boosting children's reading confidence and ability. 

For more information about our programmes please visit our website. Please also take some time to visit our social media channels and watch our videos.
 

About the Role

The Human Resources (HR) & Administrative Assistant will provide support to the CEO, Line Managers and the wider team with a range of HR related and administrative tasks. They will work remotely and will need to have access to a reliable internet connection. They will report to the CEO.

This role is ideal for someone who wishes to pursue a career in HR, and Chapter One is willing to support the postholder to gain external qualifications. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and the post-holder must be permanently based in the UK at the time of applying and for the duration of their employment. 

All Chapter One employees are required to attend quarterly in-person staff meetings held in various locations across the UK (all expenses covered); participation is mandatory.

Main duties will include:

HR Administration and Data Management

• Maintain accurate and up to date HR records on Chapter One systems

• Be the in-house expert on Breathe, Chapter One’s HR system

• Lead on data entry and HR system (Breathe HR) management, including generating relevant reports to support staff management and key decision making

• Monitor and track training and DBS records ensuring timely renewals in line with Chapter One’s policies

• Assist with documenting and maintaining HR process and workflows

• Ensure employee documents are stored correctly and confidentially

Organisational Policies and HR Procedures

• Working with the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to create, update and disseminate relevant Charity policies and/or updates to the staff handbook

• Prepare standard HR letters and documents (contracts, change letters)

• Lead on the liaison with and promotion of the organisations Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured EAP)

• Create process guides for staff in collaboration with Line Managers and the CEO

• Act as a first point of support for HR-related queries from managers, escalating to the CEO when needed

• Liaise with Chapter One’s external HR advice provider when additional expertise is required

• Proactively identify opportunities to streamline and improve HR administrative processes and procedures

Recruitment, Onboarding and Offboarding

• Support managers through the entirety of the recruitment process for staff and trustees - including, but not limited to, advertising vacancies, organising applications, arranging interviews, monitoring interview tasks, coordinating assessments, collecting candidate documents, requesting references

• Managing the onboarding process for all new staff, including, but not limited to, holding HR induction meetings, coordinating new starter paperwork, setting probation review dates and training

• Work with Line Managers to organise induction plans, schedule introductory meetings, and ensure new starters are fully supported during their initial weeks

• Coordinate the offboarding process for departing staff, including exit interviews, return of equipment, and removal from systems

General HR Support

• Organise and schedule staff meetings and organisation-wide training sessions

• Coordinate wellbeing and employee engagement activities, including, but not limited to annual surveys, staff away days, seasonal events

• Plan and coordinate in-person meeting logistics, including venue booking, accommodation, equipment and refreshments, ensuring all arrangements are inclusive and appropriately tailored to staff needs

• Work with the SLT to be a champion of Chapter One’s values, and a custodian of its supportive work culture

• Communicate instructions and other messages to Line Managers and staff clearly and promptly on behalf of the CEO 

• Support with preparation for audits or compliance checks e.g. Right to Work, DBS

• Provide HR support to staff working groups e.g. Wellbeing or Learning and Development

• Attend external HR webinars (eg with DOHR or Breathe) and disseminate information to the CEO & Line Managers as required

• Stay informed of relevant employment law updates, notifying the CEO of possible changes needed to policies or procedures

• Support general organisational administration as needed, such as scheduling key meetings, maintaining registers or documentation, or assisting with regulatory filings

• Assist the CEO & Line Managers with additional HR and administrative/organisational tasks, assigned at the discretion of the CEO

We are looking for applicants with the following essential qualities:

• Educated to A-level standard or equivalent

• A genuine interest in Chapter One, with a passion for the work we do

• Experience in a similar HR role 

• Proficient in use of Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets and Google Workspace

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with colleagues at all levels

• Thoughtful, compassionate and inclusive approach to interpersonal relationships

• Self-motivated and proactive, with a problem-solving mindset

• Goal-oriented team-player who also thrives working independently

• Meticulous eye for detail, who takes pride in holding themself to the highest standards in all aspects of their work

• Professional, discreet and able to handle confidential information

• Working knowledge of HR functions

The best applicants will also have the following desirable qualities:

• Experience of working in the charity/non-profit sector

• A desire to develop a career in HR

• A qualification in HR, e.g. CIPD Level 3, or working towards one

Interview Dates:

1st round interviews - Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd July
2nd round interviews - Monday 28th July

Chapter One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of teams we are building. Literacy is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to maximise our innovation, creativity and impact. We especially welcome applications from individuals who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. 

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom. 

We are looking for a Digital Communications Coordinator to cover maternity leave and to support our busy Communications team.

The Digital Communications Coordinator is a key role within CLAPA, responsible for implementing our digital communications strategy to engage and inspire the UK cleft community. This role moves beyond content creation to take ownership of CLAPA’s digital communications across social and email platforms, ensuring online communications are strategic and data-driven. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, this role supports the planning, delivery, and monitoring of campaigns that inform, support, and connect the cleft community in the UK. 

This is a hands-on role suited to someone with a good understanding of digital communications and a passion for community engagement. The Coordinator will manage day-to-day digital content, respond to online enquiries, and support internal teams with their communications needs. They will also play an important part in maintaining CLAPA’s brand and voice across all channels, ensuring our communications are accessible, on-brand, and effective. 

NB - We reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high volume of strong candidates.