Service desk manager jobs in Belfast
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About Kinship
We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to.
Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.
About the role
The Research Officer supports Kinship in building a strong and coordinated evidence base about kinship families, and ensures our influencing work is grounded in real experience.
The role supports the design, delivery and communication of high-quality research, insights and evaluation that shapes policy, practice and service development. It also supports the coordination and operational delivery of research and practice activity, helping ensure projects, networks and events run effectively and that insights are shared across the organisation and the wider sector.
They will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, including Policy, Programmes, Peer Support and Communications. It will ensure that research and insight are gathered and used consistently and that the experiences of kinship carers, particularly those from underserved communities, are central to our work. This role could be hybrid or remote.
Key responsibilities include:
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Design and deliver qualitative and quantitative research that improves understanding of kinship families’ needs, experiences and outcomes.
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Lead data collection through surveys, interviews, focus groups and desk research.
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Carry out analysis using suitable methods to produce accurate and meaningful insight.
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Ensure research reflects the diversity of kinship carers, including carers from ethnic minority communities, mixed heritage families, informal kinship carers and carers experiencing additional barriers.
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Maintain strong ethical standards and follow GDPR requirements.
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Developing and supporting participatory research methods with carers, children and young people.
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Support evaluation of Kinship services including peer support, training and digital programmes.
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Develop tools and approaches that help gather feedback and evidence of outcomes.
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Analyse programme data to highlight trends, gaps and opportunities.
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Provide evidence that strengthens Kinship policy positions and external influencing activity.
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Contribute data and insight to briefings, consultation responses and reports.
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Support opportunities for kinship carers to participate in research in a respectful and inclusive way.
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Manage the Kinship Professionals’ Network and the Kinship Care Researchers’ Network, working with the Practice Lead to plan and schedule meetings, coordinate agendas, record and minute meetings and share insights across the organisation.
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Support the planning and delivery of research and practice events, from consultations to knowledge exchange events.
Essential requirements include:
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Experience completing mixed methods research including design, fieldwork, analysis and reporting.
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Experience working in a research, evaluation or insight role in a charity, academic or public sector setting.
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Experience producing accessible research outputs for different audiences.
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Experience engaging with underrepresented communities and understanding barriers to participation.
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Experience of kinship care or social care research in the UK or comparable settings
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Excellent project management skills with an ability to manage multiple projects and tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.
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Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with experience of R or equivalent statistical languages.
What we offer you:
- Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
- 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
- Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
- Charity Worker Discounts.
Key dates:
- Application deadline: 11.59pm on Sunday 19 April 2026
- First interview: w/c 27 April 2026 (online)
- Second interview: w/c 4 May 2026 (if required)
How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Research Officer by sending a CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter (max 1 page). The deadline is 11.59pm on Sunday 19 April 2026. Any applications arriving after the closing date will not be considered for shortlisting unless there are exceptional reasons. Please ensure you have read the application timelines.
Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams. We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.
Some tips for your application:
• Make sure you’ve read the job description and the essential requirements – make sure your application reflects those points in the requirements very clearly.
• Tell us why you want to work for Kinship. We’re interested in working with people who share our values. You can read about our values above.
• Keep your response clear – use bullets points and short paragraphs if that helps. It will help the recruitment team to focus on your knowledge, skills and experience.
• Don’t go over 2 pages on your CV and 1 page on your covering letter.
• Please do not use AI tools like ChatGPT to produce your answers. We use software to check, and your application will be rejected if you do.
We support kinship carers in their homes and communities, giving advice and helping them work through problems to find the best way forward.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Team: Advocacy
Location: Remote with travel to Westminster approx. twice a month
Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Salary: Up to £31,918.98 per year
Contract: Permanent
We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.
Will you join us and make life better for cats?
Responsibilities of our Assistant Advocacy & Government Relations Officer:
- providing day-to-day support for the whole advocacy team
- undertaking core advocacy tasks such as leading on daily political and media monitoring
- conducting online research to add value and support overall work of the team
- providing meeting and event support
- assisting with preparation of briefings for parliamentary debates
- reporting on the outcome of campaigns to the advocacy team
- content creation for the advocacy web pages
- general administrative duties
About the Advocacy team:
The Advocacy & Government Relations team leads the charity in influencing decision-makers and those whose policies, practices and decisions affect cat welfare across the UK. The small, highly motivated team works to influence legislators (national and devolved governments), professional organisations and corporates. The team has successfully influenced the law on microchipping, pet theft and commercial kitten sales in England and worked with the Scottish Government to regulate cat breeding and rehoming activities. The team also runs digital campaigns as part of its strategy.
What we’re looking for in our Assistant Advocacy & Government Relations Officer:
- lives within a commutable (within one hour) distance of Westminster
- experience working in advocacy, public affairs or influencing work (which may include campaigns) and knowledge of UK political systems
- proven experience extracting relevant information from political monitoring sources
- strong administration skills, including project and spreadsheet management
- experience, or an understanding, of dealing with high profile/ VIP individuals e.g Ministers, MSPs, MLAs, MPs, etc
- experience completing online and desk research
- experience or understanding of event organisation
- experience preparing PowerPoint presentations
- proven ability to multi-task and work independently on own initiative, accurately and under pressure
- agile, happy to be hands-on and help in all areas of the advocacy team
- confident using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Zoom and MS Teams)
- knowledge of our work and campaigns and an understanding of the charity sector
What we can offer you:
- range of health benefits
- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
- and much more, which you can learn about
Application closing date: 20th April 2026
Virtual interview date: 11th & 12th May 2026
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.
If successful, your recruitment journey will include:
1. anonymised application form
2. video screening
3. Virtual interview with task
Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.
Please email [email protected] if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
- Travel required: 15 days / year (approx.)
- Location: Home-based in either UK, Germany or Spain.
We are seeking a Researcher to support the activities of the Patient Evidence Department of Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE).
Please send your CV and cover letter at recruitment @mpeurope. org. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, Germany or Spain. Applications without a cover letter will be rejected.
The following tasks and core responsibilities are non-exhaustive and subject to change depending on needs of the organisation.
Job Purpose
The Researcher will support the Patient Evidence department in generating, analysing and communicating patient-centred evidence to inform clinical, regulatory, industry, academic and policy decision-making, and to fuel progress across MPE programmes and activities. The role involves working with qualitative and quantitative data, supporting research projects and contributing to evidence-based outputs that amplify patients’ experiences and needs. The Patient Evidence department conducts our own patient-focussed research and collaborates on external projects with patient and medical organisations, universities, clinical teams, industry partners and regulatory bodies.
Main Duties and responsibilities
Perform the following duties in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Head of Patient Research:
- Independently design research projects and develop research protocols aligned with MPE’s research strategy, including surveys, interviews and literature reviews.
- Support the development of proposals to secure public and private funding to support research activities.
- Independently conduct assigned research tasks in accordance with project deliverables and timelines.
- Conduct and analyse qualitative (interviews, focus groups) and quantitative research (surveys).
- Conduct desk research (systematic and non-systematic literature reviews) on topics such as patient experiences, health systems and psychosocial impacts of myeloma.
- Maintain accurate records of participant data, safeguarding the confidentiality of participants and patient data, as necessary.
- Write up research results and prepare visualisations of data for different audiences (including for patients, clinicians, academic journals).
- Disseminate research results including presentations at international and national conferences, internal and external meetings and workshops. Represent MPE at internal/external meetings when needed.
- Collaborate with communications colleagues to design strategies to disseminate our research to wider audiences.
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop recruitment and involvement strategies to enhance participation from underserved groups and from different parts of Europe.
- Engage with patients, families, clinicians, patient organisations and other stakeholders involved in MPE patient evidence projects and other myeloma research.
- Provide administrative and organisational support for the Research Advisory Committee.
- Contribute to our member research support training programme including delivering workshops and training events on research design and methodology.
Other responsibilities
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of Patient evidence.
- Critically appraise and provide advice to the wider MPE team on research and evidence requests.
- Build good relations with members, internal and external stakeholders (including doctors, researchers and medical representatives within companies).
- Respond to external patient organisations’ requests on research and evidence topics.
- Attend scientific congresses and meetings and stay abreast of important developments related to myeloma patient evidence.
- Develop content for MPE website, social media and other communications.
- Participate in advisory boards for the pharmaceutical industry.
- Engage with training and continuing professional development.
Essential criteria
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (such as psychology, social sciences, health policy, health and social care, public health or related fields)
- Master’s degree in a relevant subject (MRes Health Research, MPH, or health-related subject MSc with substantive research component)
- A minimum of 3 years experience conducting applied health research
- Knowledge and experience of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including surveys, focus groups and interviews applied to health-related research
- Strong skills in qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods analysis.
- Understanding of principles of Good Clinical Practice in research.
- Proficient at Office suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint (or equivalent), and specialist quantitative/qualitative analysis software (e.g. SPSS/R, or Atlas/Nvivo).
- Ability to work from home in a virtual setting with a team spread across Europe.
- Strong listening, communication and presentation skills.
- Rigorous work methods and high attention to detail.
- Demonstrated excellence in writing, proofreading, and editing in English.
Desirable criteria
- A PhD in a related field
- Project management experience
- Experience in cross-national research
- Experience in working with patients, researchers, doctors and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry desirable
- Experience in systematic or non-systematic literature review
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Familiarity with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient experience data
- Knowledge/expertise of cancer patient experience research
- Knowledge of drug development process and clinical trials
- Knowledge and experience of ethical review procedures
- Fluency in additional European languages
Personal attributes
- Organised, with excellent project management and time management skills.
- Ability to lead and work independently on assigned tasks and take appropriate initiative.
- A motivated and self-aware team player, who can work independently or collaboratively with equal success.
- Ability to explain complex scientific terms and knowledge into lay language.
We offer:
- Opportunity to contribute to impactful, patient-centred work at a European level.
- An exciting position in the emerging field of evidence-based patient advocacy, working together with key patient advocacy leaders across Europe.
- Permanent position with flexible hours giving the opportunity to progress and to integrate in a dynamic, friendly and multi-cultural team working from different European cities.
About MPE
Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) is a pan-European organisation representing 57 myeloma and amyloidosis patient groups from over 35 European countries. It is registered as an international non-profit organisation under Belgian Law. A Board mainly composed of patients and caregivers is elected by the membership to oversee the strategy and governance of the organisation. A team of 14 staff members runs remotely the day-to-day operations, programmes and services within 4 divisions: Access and Policy, Medical Education and Scientific Engagement, Patient Evidence and Member and Patient Community Programmes.
MPE’s vision is a world where every person affected by myeloma has access to the knowledge, diagnostics, treatment and care they need to have the best possible outcomes and quality of life.
Our mission is to drive advocacy by empowering the myeloma community through research, education and collaboration.
Read more about our strategic goals for 2025-2030 here: w ww.mpeurope.or g/about-mpe/our-goals/
About the Patient Evidence department
The MPE Patient Evidence department was established in 2020 to generate evidence to better understand and articulate patients’ perspectives, influence decision-makers and use evidence as a driving force for progress across our strategic goals. The team is led by Dr Eilidh Duncan and our goal is to lead the development of robust patient evidence to improve experiences, outcomes and access for myeloma patients and their families. We achieve this by spearheading novel patient research initiatives that address gaps in the evidence and ensure the meaningful inclusion of patient perspectives in research design, conduct and interpretation. We use the evidence we generate internally to fuel progress across all MPE programmes and activities and externally by decision-makers including those in clinical, regulatory, industry, academic and policy settings.
The deadline for applications is 1 May 2026 and all applications will be reviewed immediately afterwards. Our hiring team will schedule interviews with successful candidates to take place in the following weeks. We will be in touch following the review period regarding next steps.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to us at our recruitment email address.