Social innovation fellow jobs

Salary: £50,999 pro rata, per annum. Plus excellent benefits. 

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract, family leave cover.

Hours Per week: 37.5 hours per week. You will be required to work in - person a minimum of two days per week, in line with our hybrid working model,

Our Foundation

We are an independent charitable organisation working to build a healthier UK. Health is our most precious asset. Good health enables us to live happy, fulfilling lives, fuels our prosperity, and helps build a stronger society.Yet good health remains out of reach for too many people in the UK and services are struggling to provide access to timely, high-quality care.It doesn't have to be like this. Our mission is to help build a healthier UK by:

1.Improving people's health and reducing inequalities

2.Supporting radical innovation and improvement in health and care services

3.Providing evidence and analysis to improve health and care policy.

We aim for excellence across our work and will achieve this by producing research and analysis, shaping policy and practice, building skills, knowledge, and capacity, and acting as a catalyst for change. Everyone has a stake and a part to play in improving our health. By working together, we can build a healthier UK.

About the role

As a policy fellow, you will be a key member of our dynamic policy team, contributing to a wide range of projects that influence the national health and care policy in England. Your primary Focus will be on NHS reform, exploring how the organisation of the NHS, regulation, payment systems, and other policy leaders can drive change, improve services, and reduce inequalities in health. Projects include the development of integrated care systems and tracking broader systems change in the NHS.

You’ll also contribute to our broader programme of work including responsive analysis of new NHS initiatives and performance statistics contributing to projects related to longer term policy challenges such as reforming social care preventing ill-health and boosting primary and community care.

• Lead and contribute to high impact research analysis to influence policy

• Conduct robust research using a range of qualitative methods and collaborate with analysts using quantitative methods

• Engage your stakeholders across the NHS academia and policy communities

•  Draft compelling outputs for diverse audiences’ blogs briefings reports and support the communication of our work through meetings events and the media

We are seeking a versatile an energetic person with strong research and analytical skills with experience in synthesising evidence conducting interviews and analysing policy documents

How to apply

Our priority is to find the right individual for each opportunity. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and invite you to find out more. If you would like to apply, please submit your CV, and using no more than 1200 words in total to answer the following application questions:

1. In addition to the policy fellow - NHS reform opportunity - we are also recruiting for  Policy fellow - Strategy would you like to be considered for both roles? 

2. What motivates you to work at the Health Foundation, and specifically within the Policy Team? 

3. Describe a recent project or piece of work where you conducted policy analysis or research to influence policy. What was your approach, what methods did you use and what impact did your work have? 

4. Describe your experience of working in a multi-disciplinary project team, with people from different professional backgrounds (e.g., analysis, researchers, communications, partners etc.) how did this collaboration achieve a greater impact? 

5. Describe your experience of communicating the findings from policy analysis/ research to non-expert audiences from a range of backgrounds, how did you approach this and what did you learn about what works, 

Our Commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible, and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each job on merit. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us.   We have identified three diverse groups, in particular, we want to achieve a better balance across our organisation between men and women, increase representation of people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds and recruit more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we particularly welcome applications from these groups.

Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a diverse and inclusive workplace together. Help us work together to make the recruitment process and potential future employment more accessible and enjoyable for you.

Closing date: August 20, 2025, at 23:00

Interview date: From September 2, 2025

Do you know how to connect with communities and bring people together? Can you help shape the future of volunteering at a national level?

We’re looking for a Volunteering Recruitment Lead to help grow and diversify our volunteer base at the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. This is a unique opportunity to shape a new approach to volunteer recruitment, build strong relationships within communities, and support colleagues to do the same.

As Volunteering Recruitment Lead, you will play a central role in how we promote, recruit, and support volunteers across the organisation. You’ll create and share practical resources that help staff and volunteers grow local teams in inclusive and sustainable ways. This role is ideal for someone who understands volunteering, knows how to connect with communities, and enjoys working collaboratively to make a difference.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of a strong volunteer value proposition and brand identity for volunteering at the Association
• Design and deliver accessible national and local volunteer recruitment campaigns
• Work with marketing and digital colleagues to create engaging and inclusive materials and digital content
• Provide toolkits, guidance, and examples that help colleagues recruit consistently, confidently and effectively
• Coach and support staff involved in volunteer recruitment, modelling good practice where needed
• Engage with underrepresented communities and explore new ways of involving a wider range of people
• Build relationships with staff and volunteers to identify local needs and opportunities for growth
• Support improvements to volunteer application processes and onboarding journeys
• Use data and insight to identify gaps, track progress, and share learning
• Contribute to innovation in volunteering by exploring new recruitment models and approaches

About You:

• Experience of community-based engagement with an understanding of best practices when recruiting and supporting volunteers 
• Experience of recruitment
• Experience working with diverse communities and using inclusive approaches
• Skilled at developing resources and supporting others to use them
• Able to engage others through confident public speaking and clear communication
• Comfortable working independently and driving new initiatives
• Good planning and time management skills
• Collaborative and confident working across teams
• Competent using Microsoft Office and familiar with social media platforms
• Driving License and willingness to travel for community visits as needed

About Us:

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

What We Offer:

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Opportunities for training and personal development.
• Hybrid working.

The full job description is available in the candidate pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role offers hybrid working, with the expectation to attend the office a minimum of 2 days per month with flexibility to attend the office for team meetings and in line with business requirements. We are open to part-time applications or job shares – please indicate your preferred working arrangement in your application.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.

• Experience in community engagement
• Experience of recruitment
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a confident public speaker and skilled at presenting ideas, with the ability to engage effectively with volunteers, staff, and external stakeholders 

Important Information:

• We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
• If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
• Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
• If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.
• We are happy to consider alternative application formats for those who find the online form challenging.

The Volunteering Recruitment Lead joins at an exciting time. You’ll be part of a supportive team with the opportunity to shape and develop our approach to volunteer recruitment and engagement. The environment is busy, creative, people-centred, and full of potential.

This is an ideal next step for someone ready to scale up their impact, bring ideas to life, and help create a strong, sustainable future for volunteering at the MND Association.

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Service User Engagement Lead to support our Criminal Justice services

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Job Summary

Advance’s Minerva service works with women and young women and girls involved in the Criminal Justice System offering safe, targeted support and advocacy to women to help them address their complex needs in relation to the 9 pathways to offending, such as substance misuse and financial difficulties, aiming to reduce re-offending, encourage desistance amongst repeat offenders, and empower women to live safe, crime free lives.

Working as a Service User Engagement Lead you will be responsible for supporting the operational delivery of our service user engagement programme that will be a part of the Minerva service across London, including leading a team of CJS community champions and ambassadors and supporting in the oversight and delivery this programme across our 3 criminal justice services. In addition, this role requires you to build effective relationships with the criminal justice teams across London, and the regions alongside our partners and service users.

An integral part of the Service User Engagement Lead role will include delivering planned monthly supervision and ad-hoc supervision and having oversight of safeguarding and risk management for the CJS champions and ambassadors that you are working alongside. You will support the Senior Service Manager and Service Managers in delivering key information to keyworkers, in staff meetings and in day-to-day interactions to help promote the service user engagement programme.

You will lead your team and service while working collaboratively with fellow Advance managers and teams, external agencies and key stakeholders across London to provide a consistent and holistic service.

Key responsibilities and duties

• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and exit processes for champions and ambassadors including processing checks and welcome packs. Creating and supporting a positive culture of CJS Champions and ambassadors within the service
• To ensure the voice of service users is heard, valued and have influence throughout all areas of services, development design and delivery
• Supporting the CJS champions and ambassadors in post with their professional development
• Support with coproduction of projects across sites including coproduction space and service user activities, representing the views and opinions of those who access our services by leading on service user board meetings, focus groups and training sessions.
• Oversight of the welfare and wellbeing of CJS Champions and ambassadors
• Embed processes that enable you to engage with those who access our services, by listening to their views and asking for their feedback. Provide feedback and updates to those who access our services informing them of any changes and decisions.
• Work with staff and the local community to improve and develop the service, promoting our strategy
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on champions and ambassadors and service user engagement via our internal database and spreadsheets.
• Manage invitations, bookings, and logistics for internal and external events, meetings or workshops involving CJS community champions and ambassadors
• Ensure all CJS champion and service user information is managed confidentially and in line with Data Protection regulations.
• Keep CJS champions and ambassadors training and participation records up to date.
• Support in monitoring engagement levels and preparing basic reports or summaries on Service User Involvement champions and ambassadors.
• Be responsible for your own personal learning/development and keep up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
• Participate in supervision, training and meetings as required and assist in the development of services in line with agreed development plans.
• Work collaboratively with the Service Managers to ensure that the work supporting women in the CJS is a coherent and well organised service, meeting regularly to communicate issues across the team and reporting achievements, challenges and proposed solutions.

About You:

To be successful as the Service User Engagement Lead you will need the below experience and skills:

You are an organised and empathetic individual with experience in supporting service user involvement and champion/ambassador programmes. You’re confident managing the full lifecycle of engagement - from recruitment and onboarding to professional development and exit processes - ensuring safeguarding and data protection protocols are followed at all times. You have a strong understanding of co-production principles and are passionate about ensuring the voices of those with lived experience are heard, valued, and embedded in service design and delivery. Your ability to build positive relationships enables you to effectively support the welfare and wellbeing of community champions and ambassadors, while also engaging wider staff and community networks to improve services. With strong administrative skills, you’re confident in managing data systems, coordinating events, and maintaining accurate records. You’re proactive in monitoring engagement levels and can contribute to reporting and service development activities. Collaborative by nature, you work well within a team, communicate effectively, and are committed to continuous learning. You stay up to date with relevant legislation, policy, and best practice, and thrive in environments that value service user voice, equality, and community impact.

ow to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

• Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 31st August 2025*
• Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

• A 35-hour working week
• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye-care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• Thorough induction and training
• Career development pathways

**************************************************************

Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team at Advance and we will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.