Social research jobs

This is a key role within Learning and Work Institute, with responsibility for delivering high quality research, analysis and evaluation across learning, skills and employment.

Day to day duties:

• Design and deliver high quality research, analysis and evaluation, to time and budget. Researchers will work on a wide range of mixed methods research and evaluation projects across the learning, skills and employment sector.
• Manage small projects and lead on elements of large projects.
• Develop and implement appropriate research methodologies and methods, evaluation strategies and research tools. Projects generally include a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods, such as semi-structured interviews, focus groups, evidence reviews, surveys, analysis of management information and secondary data analysis.
•  Develop and manage systems for gathering, recording, analysing and presenting data from a range of projects for maximum impact.
• Contribute to the production of high-quality research, policy and evaluation reports, interpreting evidence in a way that is accessible to a wide range of audiences.
• Disseminate research findings through written reports, media articles, blogs and presentations. Communicate the work of L&W through print and broadcast media. Represent L&W at events and external meetings. 
• Support income generation by contributing to the preparation of funding proposals and responses to tenders.
• Undertake project administration and coordination tasks related to research activity.
• Supervise interns, associates and temporary staff, as required, including possible line management responsibility for research interns.

About you

The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge and experience of a range of social research methods and an interest in the policy context for learning, skills and employment.

Essential criteria:

• Relevant degree, equivalent qualification(s) or evidence of equivalent experience.
• Understanding and application of a range of research, analysis and evaluation methodologies and methods.
• Ability to develop and use appropriate methods and tools to support high quality research.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, that ensure work is effectively prioritised to meet deadlines.
• Strong track record of organising, co-ordinating and managing a range of activities against competing deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to work, unsupervised, under own initiative with a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a range of audiences, stakeholders, funders and partners.
• Ability to write for and speak to a range of audiences to ensure impact.

Desirable Criteria:

• Ability to use a range of quantitative research methods with minimal guidance, such as survey design and analysis, data management, summary and descriptive statistics and the use of software for data analysis and visualisation (e.g. Excel, SPSS, Stata, R.
• Understanding of learning, skills and/or employment policy and/or practice across England and/or Wales.

A full job description and person specification is available on our website.

Benefits

Salary of £25,780 - £34,910, depending on experience and location

- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays.

- Generous company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

- Group Life Assurance 3*salary

- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time in the office)

- Flexible working practices

- Employee Development Scheme

- Retailer Discounts

- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay

- Enhanced occupational sick pay

- Eye care scheme

- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme

- Silver award in Investors in People

How to apply

To apply, please upload your CV and a short supporting statement answering the 4 questions below (no more than 250 words per question please) and a cover letter.

1. Please tell us what attracted you to the researcher role at Learning and Work Institute. When answering this question, explain why you are interested in L&W in particular, and the attributes you bring to this specific role and the organisation.
2. Please outline your key research and analytical skills and capabilities, providing examples of how you have used them. When answering this question, explain how your skills and capabilities meet the job description and person specification. Examples should be detailed and include key considerations that you took into account when applying your skills and capabilities.
3. Please describe a time that you had to work as part of a team to deliver a project, and your role in delivering the project. When answering this question, explain the aspects of the project that you had responsibility for, how this related to the wider project and the steps you took to ensure there was effective teamwork and the project was successfully completed. Consider the key aspects to effective teamwork, and how these are demonstrated by your example.
4. Please tell us about a time you managed/coordinated a project or piece of work. How did you ensure that it was completed to time and quality expectations? When answering this question, explain the steps you took when managing/coordinating the project or piece of work, how you planned and prioritised tasks and the time required to complete them, and the outcome you achieved by doing this successfully.

Applications will only be considered when submitted with a CV and Cover letter

The closing date for applications is: 25th July 2025

Should you require any adjustments to participate in this recruitment process, please make this clear when you apply.

L&W is passionate about equality and diversity, it drives our organisational values and mission, and we are particularly keen to receive applications from all under-represented groups in society.

This vacancy is restricted to Black and minoritised women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

We reserve the right to close these adverts early if we have sufficient interest, so early applications are encouraged.

Are you driven by a commitment to social justice and equality? Do you want to utilise your expertise to support vulnerable women and children in their fight against inequality and discrimination? Southall Black Sisters has the perfect opportunity for you. We are seeking a dedicated Immigration Solicitor to provide specialised, personalised advice to our clients, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.

The postholder will support and contribute to Southall Black Sisters’ (SBS) research, policy and campaigning work by developing and delivering high-quality, intersectional research that:

• Strengthens the evidence base on violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly as it affects Black, minoritised and migrant (BMM) women and girls.
• Centres the lived experiences of victim-survivors, using participatory and coproduced research methods.
• Informs SBS’s advocacy, public education and service delivery strategies through accessible, impactful research outputs.

Working closely with senior staff, frontline colleagues and external partners, the postholder will design and contribute to research projects, gather and analyse qualitative and quantitative data, and produce clear, well-structured outputs including reports, policy briefings and presentations. They will be supported to develop their research skills and will be encouraged to bring creativity and rigour to exploring the structural inequalities that shape the lives of the women SBS supports.

By joining our team, you will be at the forefront of the fight for equality and justice, making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Why work with Southall Black Sisters?

Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Hybrid working 
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Enhanced sick pay
• Subsidised public transport season ticket
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists 
• Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
• A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
• Organisation-wide away days
• Career development pathways and support
• The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
• Employer eye care scheme

To Apply

Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.

We are looking for someone who is truly passionate about the potential of research to influence the policies and practices that affect refugee children and young people’s ability to access and thrive in education - and the determination to get the evidence into the hands of those who need it.

REUK carries out high-quality, rigorous and bold research into refugee education, and uses this research to influence the policies, systems and practices that enable young refugees to thrive in education. We have a track record of over 10 years of impactful, timely and relevant research that has influenced change in the refugee education sector in the UK and internationally.

This role will lead and manage REUK’s research and policy portfolio, ensuring that it maintains and develops REUK’s external position as a thought leader on refugee education practice and research. 

Over the year ahead we will be working on a range of commissioned research projects, both domestic and international, and building the evidence we ourselves know is needed as a result of our frontline work. You will lead these projects, whilst securing new work for the months and years ahead.

We want to hear from experienced social researchers who can demonstrate excellent research, policy analysis, project management and writing skills and experience, alongside a strong track record of research business development. 

The role is 4-5 days a week and is based in London (NW10). The post holder will be expected to work in person at least 3 days per week. Regular travel to research locations across London and the UK will be required, and the post-holder must be willing to travel internationally several times each year if needed.

The Research Manager will work in a small team that is responsible for commissioning and managing high quality, robust social research, and for synthesising and disseminating evidence of what works to support the most disadvantaged young people into good jobs.

About the role:

The Research Manager will support all aspects of Youth Futures research, from project development to impact.

This will include:

• helping to develop our research strategy
• identifying research questions alongside colleagues in Youth Futures
• working closely with our research partners and suppliers so that projects are delivered on time and to budget; and ensuring that all research outputs are consistently high quality and make clear, practical and impactful recommendations for practice and policy.

This role can be based at any of our hubs located in Birmingham, Leeds or London.  We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

How to apply:

Apply via our website. A full job description and person spec can be found in the job recruitment pack. 

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

Location: North West - Hybrid
Salary: £31,000
Hours: 35
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
About us -
 
Pure Insight supports young people leaving care aged 16 – 28. Our wraparound offer of services supports young people to develop the skills and confidence to take control of their lives, feel connected and develop a sense of belonging in their community. Over the past 11 years we have grown our services in Stockport, Salford, Cheshire East, Warrington and Halton, and are proud to have developed nationally recognised best practice programmes alongside young care leavers. Young People are at the heart of what we do, we have an exciting opportunity to join our team on a new project overseen by national partners focussed on reducing youth violence. Training and support will be provided by national partners to project leads and young people to understand the model, with opportunity to network and learn from other projects over the two years.
 
About the role -
 
This role is a 2 year contract with potential for future funding
 
As our Participation and Social Action Lead you will lead on the participation and social action element of the project, supporting a team of young people to better understand and find solutions to experiences of violence in children’s services via social action projects based on learning from peer research with children and young people with lived experience of children’s services. You will lead on the development of a small team of young people in paid peer research and social action roles, providing line management, training, mentoring and guidance to develop young people's skills, confidence and cultivate a supportive group dynamic.
 
You will lead on identifying additional children and young people as research and social action participants and support the peer research/social action team to develop and undertake activities prioritising safety, trust and wellbeing – taking a lead role on safeguarding. You’ll also support the development of a range of output materials sharing research findings and take a lead role in supporting young people to design and carry out social action projects with local and national stakeholders.
 
For further information such as the key activities of the role and the person specification, please view the attached job description.
 
REF-222410

Market Research Analyst (Insights Coordinator)  

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about using data and insights to influence change and ensuring we are the experts about our students. You’ll join our Insights Team to expand our sector-leading insights function and collaborate with other Guild departments to deliver student-facing projects, and build data curiosity across the organisation.

The Role

Role: Market Research Analyst (Insights Coordinator)
Hours:  Up to 35 hours per week (to be worked flexibly). We are open to considering Part Time hours of a minimum 21 (0.6FTE) per week
Salary: Grade B – £24,260 per annum (pro-rata for part time hours)
Contract: 12 month fixed term

Who are we?

Exeter Students’ Guild is the University of Exeter’s students’ union, led by students for students. We’re an independent charity, offering a wide range of opportunities, services and support to help students get the most out of their unique journeys at university. This includes everything from social activities to making sure things are going well on their academic course. We have over 300 student groups and all of our work is led by, and in the best interest of, our members.

The Guild is a truly rewarding place to work. Our talented and passionate staff make a real difference to the lives of students every single day, working together to achieve the Guild’s purpose: to shape an excellent student experience for all students at Exeter by empowering them to take their place in the world and make a positive difference. We are looking for people who recognise that the Guild is student-led and share a genuine passion for student engagement and empowerment. If you share a commitment to our values and want to be part of a radically inclusive organisation with a seriously exciting future ahead, we can’t wait to hear from you.

What will you bring? 

· You’ll have experience in planning and delivering research projects
· You know how to use Microsoft Excel (or similar) to transform and interrogate data
· You’ll be able to communicate data in easy-to-understand formats 

We offer lots of great benefits including enhanced family pay, at least 6-weeks’ holiday, sustainable travel incentives, access to exclusive discounts and perks and a free confidential advice service. We’re committed to helping you achieve a healthy balance between your work and home life through a real commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We also provide access to great development opportunities, including a personal development budget for you to spend on sharpening your skills. We’ll also help you to gain valuable experience, ensuring that you have opportunities to grow your career both here at the Guild and beyond.

Inclusion is central to the Guild. We approach our work collaboratively, empower our people and celebrate our uniqueness. If you’re driven to empower others and achieve great things, you’ll fit right in. Our people are proud of who they are and value each other’s differences, and we are committed to creating a diverse community that is radically inclusive of race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience.

Dates for your Diary

· Closing Date: 10am, Monday 28th  July 2025
· Shortlisting: Wednesday 30th July 2025
· Interviews: Thursday 7th August 2025

The MMC is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, research, analysis and expertise on mixed migration. The MMC aims to increase understanding of mixed migration, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to inform evidence-based protection responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in public and policy debates on mixed migration. The MMC's overarching focus is on human rights and protection for all people on the move. The three overall objectives of the MMC are:

• To contribute to a better, more nuanced and balanced understanding of mixed migration (knowledge)
• To contribute to evidence-based and better-informed migration policies and debates (policy)
• To contribute to effective evidence-based protection responses for people on the move (programming)

The MMC is a global network, with regional hubs in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America hosted in DRC regional offices, and a small central team in Geneva. The MMC is part of, and governed by, DRC. While its institutional link to DRC ensures MMC's work is grounded in operational reality, it acts as an independent source of data, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration for policy makers, practitioners, journalists, and the broader humanitarian sector. The position of the MMC does not necessarily reflect the position of DRC.

The 4Mi data collection initiative

One of MMC’s flagship project is the (4Mi). 4Mi collects data through in-depth structured interviews, focusing on protection risks and the conditions and experiences faced by people on the move, as well as their motivation for migration. 4Mi fills information gaps around protection and vulnerabilities with a view to informing policy and humanitarian programmatic response as well as enhancing sector understanding and knowledge on migration dynamics.

MMC Asia and the Pacific

MMC is currently operational in Asia through several data collection initiatives. MMC Asia and the Pacific (MMC AP) is collecting data in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan and Türkiye on a number of different initiatives focusing on various topics, including: understanding of mixed movements and the associated protection risks for refugees and migrants; perception of irregular migration among migrant communities; smuggling of migrants and refugees in Southeast Asia; and onward movements of migrants and refugees from Pakistan and Türkiye.  

About the job

Under the direct management of the MMC Regional Manager for Asia and the Pacific, the 4Mi Specialist will lead the implementation and technical development of the Mixed Migration Monitoring Mechanism initiative in Asia and the Pacific.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Oversee operations and management of the 4Mi project in Asia and the Pacific

• Technical supervision of the Information Management Specialist and 4Mi Officer
• Oversee the recruitment and training of 4Mi monitors; oversee their day-to-day management.
• Manage the procurement of partners to collect 4Mi data and manage those partners.
• Ensure that the team regularly provides updated, clean datasets and all 4Mi deliverables are met
• Oversee management of the data collection platform and survey software.
• Maintain duty of care for monitors and contribute to the risk analysis for 4Mi staff and monitors.
• Monitor 4Mi budgets; ensure timely donor reporting and support the MMC Regional Manager in maintaining donor relations.
• In collaboration with the MMC Regional Manager, contribute to the eventual expansion, strategic development and fundraising for 4Mi.
• Coordinate with the 4Mi Global Coordinator on changes to and development of projects. 

Analysis and dissemination of knowledge

• Analyse and interpret data; draft, contribute to, and present analysis in visuals, presentations, and written reports; ensure regular, timely production of analysis.
• Lead in the implementation of methodological developments and standards in the region, and their review. 
• Work closely with the 4Mi team across the network to innovate and develop 4Mi methodology, and tools for implementation, to ensure 4Mi’s reliability and relevance.
• Keep abreast of new developments and ongoing debates on migration data.
• Identify partners, key informants, contacts and other interlocutors critical to the success of 4Mi and maintain relationships with key regional stakeholders in mixed migration.
• Represent MMC and present 4Mi data at conferences and meetings.
• Support DRC’s use of 4Mi data in programming and advocacy.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 5 years’ experience in survey design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection, and quantitative data analysis. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, or other relevant fields
• Knowledge of regional migration dynamics and previous experience working in the region;
• Experience in project cycle and budget management;
• Experience in team management, and working in a multicultural environment;
• Experience of working with international NGOs;
• Motivated self-starter who can work independently and make rapid assessments and sound judgements;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities;
• Good team worker with strong communication skills.
• Full professional proficiency in English 
• Knowledge of another language in the region is an asset. 

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: Until 31st Dec 2025 (renewable, subject to funding)

Band: Non-Management G1

Work location: If the successful candidate is a Thai national, they will be able to start in our Bangkok office from the outset. An expat will need to work from Tbilisi, Georgia until they can obtain a work visa/permit for Thailand.

Start date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national/expatriate contracts; please refer to our website for more details. 

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 10th July 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply as soon as possible. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the indicated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.
 

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website.
 

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.

Company Description

The NIHR is funded through the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and was established with the aim of creating a health and care research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public. The NIHR Research Infrastructure provides a platform to enable research by creating an environment where early stage and applied research can thrive. Our Research Infrastructure consists of research expertise, specialist facilities, a research delivery workforce and support services. The NIHR invests more than £606 million a year of infrastructure funding through a number of different five-year infrastructure funding schemes. 

Job Description

We are looking to recruit a dynamic and experienced Senior Research Manager to manage the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities of a high profile National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) portfolio of translational, clinical and applied health research infrastructure funding schemes. 

Job Purpose 
Reporting to the Assistant Director, the post holder will work closely with the rest of the infrastructure team (especially the Programme Leads and Senior Research Managers who are responsible for the development and management of the infrastructure schemes), and with Data Analytics colleagues (who are responsible for designing systems for capturing, cleaning and presenting data), to manage the infrastructure reporting and evaluation activities. At an award level, you will develop, improve and maintain monitoring and reporting processes, and at a scheme level, you will implement monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches, including overseeing the delivery and/or commissioning of impact evaluations. You will support a wider programme around visibility and the strategic use of data within infrastructure, considering links to policy directives around Busting Bureaucracy, the developing NIHR digital strategy and system operability issues with NHS and University systems. 

You will be adept at dealing with an array of data sources (metrics, narrative and financial reporting information), have a good understanding of research impact, an understanding of the routes to achieving it, and how to apply monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches to generate insight that can evidence impact and support continuous improvement of scheme funding and support processes. You will have experience of managing complex projects, knowledge of the UK’s research environment and political agenda, and honed skills in stakeholder management. You will be a strategic thinker, capable of seeing the issues and solutions from a number of different stakeholder perspectives to see the bigger picture. You will be comfortable dealing with complexity and developing an approach to balance the needs of different stakeholders. You will be a team player, able to work in close partnership with a number of teams at NIHR and the DHSC.

Key Accountabilities:

• Manage elements of the infrastructure monitoring processes: you will manage parts of the infrastructure reporting process both internally at the technical systems level and externally with users to support training and propose improvements. You will work with others to develop new reporting processes (for new awards), maintain existing annual and quarterly reporting, support the review of submitted reports by the team and the production of feedback, and drive process improvements through a continuous improvement cycle.

• Development of reporting outputs: support quantitative and qualitative data interrogation in projects across the infrastructure. Interrogating data to support strategic reviews, and, where feasible and appropriate, designing visual dashboards of progress using data collected and collated for reporting purposes. Also draw on award level reported data to feed into strategic scheme level evaluations and reviews, to produce impact case studies, and to feed into organisational level learning and reporting. This work will help articulate the contribution of the NIHR infrastructure to the wider health and social care system as well as feeding into broader NIHR initiatives such as the NIHR Impact Programme.

• Scheme reviews: support the delivery of scheme mid-term reviews and evaluations, working closely with the infrastructure team’s Senior Research Managers responsible for specific schemes and the central Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to design and plan an appropriate review process for individual schemes.

• Stakeholder engagement: through appropriate stakeholder engagement, developing a sound understanding of data needs, minimising additional requirements of key stakeholders and understanding the types of reporting outputs/feedback that would provide the greatest utility for accountability and learning purposes. Proactively share key learnings across the infrastructure team and with wider stakeholder groups as appropriate.

• Flexible support to the team:  flexible approach to work tasks with ability to ‘muck in’ and provide support on additional tasks across the team during busy times.

Line Management:

• The post holder will be responsible for the line management of one Research Manager and will matrix manage other team members, where appropriate.

Qualifications

Experience and Technical Skills

Required Criteria: 

• A PhD degree in biomedical or health sciences research (or significant equivalent sector experience)
• Experience of implementation or management of monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches including impact assessment and reporting, ideally within health and care research
• Data collection, collation and analysis skills using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies
• Current knowledge of the UK’s health and care research and policy landscape
• Strategic thinker able to interpret complex information while having a clear view of the “big picture”
• Solutions orientated with evidence of delivering projects, requiring evidence synthesis, report writing and developing implementable recommendations

Desirable Criteria:

• Specialist training/knowledge in monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches and methods
• Experience of authoring high quality impact reports and case study reports for a variety of technical and general audiences
• Experience of developing electronic dashboards using visualisation tools such as Qlik Sense, Looker Studio or equivalents
• Line management and staff development experience

Key Competencies

• Committed team player with an ability to build effective working relationships

Additional Information

Why work for us
Join our team and you’ll be working with an exceptional organisation who manage high quality health and care research for the benefit of patients and the public. NIHR is one of the UK’s largest funders of health and care research.

Salary & Benefits

• £48,600 - £51,300 per annum 
• Bonus - subject to company performance
• 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Life Insurance
• Benenden Healthcare
• Season Ticket Loan

This is a permanent, full time position.

NB: We offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, flexible working arrangements. This is an office-based, hybrid role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, usually worked as 1 day per week, and may increase, subject to team requirements. 

Application Process
If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Required Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with NIHR. 

NB:Closing date for applications is 5pm 16th July, interviews to be scheduled from the 28th July to the 8th August.

Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity
LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age or trade union membership. 

This is an exciting senior policy role in our committed policy team leading the fight to end child poverty in the UK. The development of a UK-wide child poverty strategy in government means this is a great time to join CPAG as we look to influence to influence policy makers to adopt our evidence-based policy solutions to child poverty.

We are looking for someone to take a lead role in developing evidence-based policy positions to support CPAG’s influencing and campaigns work. You will have knowledge of political processes and how external organisations can effect change. You will have a track record of producing high quality research and analysis, including policy briefings, on social policy issues. You will enjoy working collaboratively to identify policy issues and develop solutions, working closely with colleagues across the organisation as well as externally.

The postholder will be working in a fast moving, high profile and complex policy environment and will need to balance short term priorities with long term objectives. Current priorities include influencing the development and implementation of the forthcoming child poverty strategy, sharing analysis and expertise as part of the DWP’s review of universal credit, and monitoring the development of the green paper on the changes to disability benefits, and the white paper on employment.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Senior Policy and Research Officer job pack.

Closing date for applications: Monday 7 July (midnight)

Interviews will be held in London on Monday 14 July

In the spring of 2025, the Vivensa Foundation launched its new strategic framework and identity.  Formerly known as the Dunhill Medical Trust, it was back in the 1980s that our founder's niece recognised that the shifting demographics would drive a need for investment in a high-quality research base to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of ageing and ageing-related disease, together with the delivery of innovation to improve health and social care services for older people. 

Our charitable objects were never more relevant than they are today and the opportunities are immense to support our academic and clinical researcher community to make real systemic change. 

Today, we are the stewards of an endowment valued at around £170M, and have committed to distributing at least £30M over the next five years in in grant funding.  We have also ring-fenced a part of our endowment for social investment. You can read more about our Strategic Framework here.

We now have a full time, permanent vacancy for an aspiring grants management professional to help us to deliver our strategic plan. As a member of the Grants Team and reporting to the Director of Research, you will be a primary point of contact for organisations applying for funding for academic or clinical research, as well as working with the team to develop, implement and evaluate our funding streams.  As such, you will make key contributions to the development and delivery of our core services, reinforcing our reputation for high quality and support for the research community.  If you’d like to explore using your grants management experience or research training in a subject area relevant to the work of the Foundation in a slightly different context, identify with our values and have the great attention to detail, flexible “can do” attitude and restless curiosity essential to the success of a small, expert team, go to our website to download the full job description and person specification and find out how to apply.

Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - London
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Benefits: Read more about the excellent benefits we offer
Travel: Occasional travel to Versus Arthritis offices (London, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow)

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.

We’re looking for a Policy Officer who will make a difference to health and social care policy for people with arthritis.  

Within the Chief Executive’s Office, the UK Advocacy and Health Intelligence Department are focused on creating lasting change. We identify creative policy solutions in response to the challenges people with arthritis face. We influence decision-makers through stakeholder engagement, public affairs activity and by campaigning alongside people with arthritis. We have expertise across health and care services, public health, and employment policy. We also work in collaboration to influence medical research and data policy and play an active role in several cross-sector groups. 

About the role

The purpose of this role is to drive policy development across our policy priority areas. The Policy Officer will lead on specific policy projects, commissioning research, developing policy positions, and producing reports and consultation responses.

This role will cover a broad range of issues across one of our strategic goals – prevention and diagnosis; access to treatment; and living well with arthritis. Our approach considers the needs of people of all ages who have arthritis.

The Policy Officer will also contribute to the wider work of the team, working closely with colleagues in the Nations Teams, the Research Directorate and the wider charity, including by representing us on cross-sector policy groups, drafting briefings, and participating in events and conferences.

We’ll give you autonomy, variety and challenge with opportunities to work with inspirational campaigners, attend events in Parliament and meet senior stakeholders in Government. We’re a supportive team who will value your well-being and professional development.

About you

If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you:

• Understanding of policy issues relevant to people with long-term conditions or disability.
• Experience of working in a policy team.
• Experience of developing and influencing health and social care policy.
• An ability to think creatively and communicate effectively.
• An enthusiastic, adaptive and flexible approach.

*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Location: North West - Hybrid
Salary: £36,000
Hours: 35
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
Background:
 
Pure Insight supports young people leaving care aged 16 – 28. Our wraparound offer of services supports young people to develop the skills and confidence to take control of their lives, feel connected and develop a sense of belonging in their community. Over the past 11 years we have grown our services in Stockport, Salford, Cheshire East, Warrington and Halton, and are proud to have developed nationally recognised best practice programmes alongside young care leavers. Young People are at the heart of what we do, we have an exciting opportunity to join our team on a new project overseen by national partners focussed on reducing youth violence. Training and support will be provided by national partners to project leads and young people to understand the model, with opportunity to network and learn from other projects over the two years.
 
Overall purpose of the role:
 
As our Participatory Research lead you will lead on the research element of the project alongside young people (design, fieldwork, analysis and reporting) to better understand and find solutions to young people’s experiences of violence in children’s services by carrying out research with up to 500 children and young people with lived experience of children’s services using different methods. You’ll work to produce a range of output materials sharing research findings and take a lead role in disseminating learning to stimulate and influence social action to local and national stakeholders. You’ll work closely with our new Youth Participation and Social Action lead to develop and oversee the project with support from our leadership team. You will also support the development of a small team of young people in paid peer research roles and provide training, mentoring and guidance to develop young people's skills, confidence and cultivate a supportive group dynamic.
 
For more information such as the key activities of the role and person specification, please view the attached job description.
 
REF-222411

Summary

The role will involve:

1. Supporting the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of York in their work in the House of Lords.
2. Advising on and researching materials for parliamentary speeches and interventions.
3. Monitoring and keeping the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of York informed about relevant parliamentary developments and timetables.
4. Liaising with MPs, Peers and their staff, Parliamentary officials and others in and outside the NCIs on behalf of the Bishop and Archbishop.
5. Drafting articles for publication, press notices or social media about the Bishop's and Archbishops' work, in close collaboration with their Communications Officers.
6. Providing research resource for the Archbishop in his provincial role and both he and the Bishop in their dioceses for non-parliamentary work. This may involve researching and drafting for talks, articles and lectures.
7. Assisting with disseminating the Church's responses to specific issues or bills, as agreed with the Head of Parliamentary Affairs and Deputy Head of Parliamentary Affairs. Supporting the Head and Deputy Head of Parliamentary Affairs in their wider responsibilities and standing in for them as and when required.
8. Working with the Parliamentary Team to ensure that the Bishop and Archbishop are kept abreast of the wider activities of the Lords Spiritual and the Parliamentary Team.

• This is a full-time post which is offered initially for a fixed-term of 12 months.
• 75% of the postholder's working time will be spent in support of the Bishop of London and 25% of the Archbishop of York.
• Base location will be Lambeth Palace, London, SE1 7JU
• Work also expected to take place from Church House, Westminster, SW1P 3AZ; The Old Deanery, London, EC4V 5AA.

About us

This is a rare opportunity to lead our Support & Communities teams who provide direct support, practical guidance and other patient focused activities to over 1500 members and their families, UK-wide, whose lives are affected by MPS, Fabry and related diseases.

Our Support Team raise awareness both within the MPS community and external agencies, offering information, advice, support, and advocacy in a range of areas including health and social care, housing, education, transition, independent living, palliative care, and bereavement.  Our Projects and Communities team contribute to the development of our resources and facilitate project work such as youth engagement, advisory boards, and support groups, as well as leading on support focused social media.

Ideal candidate

As Head of Support & Communities, you will exhibit strong leadership skills and have significant experience working within a health and social care or relevant field of work.  You will have an in-depth understanding of the needs of those with disabilities, their families and carers. 

You will primarily be responsible for the overall management and development of the teams and the services they provide. As the company safeguarding lead you will have an in-depth understanding of policy and procedure to protect all.  You will be a relationship builder who cares about the community we serve and ensures that the individual (or family) remains at the centre of support. 

You will have a good understanding of managing budgets and able to produce accurate monitoring/evaluation reports. Excellent IT skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to tight timescales are essential.  You will be self-motivated and highly organised, juggling many strands of work. 

As a team player, you will demonstrate a willingness to participate in the day-to-day activities of the team, have excellent staff management and development skills along with the confidence to motivate and inspire. 

You will have the passion to work with us to develop our services, play an active role in our senior leadership team and work with members and other key departments to move the charity forward to achieve its goals.

 

What we can offer you

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time hours)
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

The main duties, responsibilities and essential requirements of this role can be viewed on the attached job description.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham office each week. As part of the role, UK wide travel is necessary. which may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays.  You may also occasionally be required to attend evening or weekend conferences and events. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked are fairly compensated.

This is a full-time role (35 hrs per week) however part time hours, with a minimum of 28 hrs per week may be agreed for the right candidate.  Salary will be pro-rata for part-time.

We encourage candidates to visit the MPS Society website to learn more about us and the community we serve.  Alternatively, if you would like an informal chat about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Sophie Thomas.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

The MPS Society is a charity that provides a range of care, support and activities for children and adults at risk throughout the UK. This is provided in several ways through our dedicated support and advocacy service, annual events, patient expert meetings and conferences. MPS staff, trustees and volunteers may be asked to be involved in the delivery of its regulated activities and therefore will require an enhanced DBS check during recruitment and for this to be reviewed on a regular basis.

To apply:

Please provide your CV and a cover statement giving examples to demonstrate your competencies, achievements and skills alongside explaining how your previous roles and experiences make you the candidate we are looking for.

Closing Date:whilst we have an initial closing date of 18 July, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview and assessment.