Researcher volunteer roles in Edinburgh

Global South International

We strengthen institutions and create sustainable solutions across the Global South through integrated partnerships.

Research, Policy, and Strategic Insights, Director

Key Responsibilities & Deliverables

1. Research Strategy & Organizational Leadership

Responsibilities

• Lead GSI's research agenda and ensure alignment with the organization's seven strategic pillars.
• Provide strategic research leadership to support organizational growth and decision-making.

Key Deliverables

• Develop and implement an annual organizational research agenda.
• Produce quarterly strategic intelligence reports for Executive Leadership.
• Lead departmental planning and performance reviews.

2. Policy Research & Strategic Insights

Responsibilities

• Lead research on economic development, governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, climate, water, and international development.
• Translate research findings into practical policy recommendations.

Key Deliverables

• Publish 6–8 policy briefs or white papers annually.
• Produce monthly policy and global trend updates.
• Deliver evidence-based recommendations supporting GSI programs and advocacy.

3. Research for Resource Mobilization

Responsibilities

• Provide research and technical evidence that strengthens grant proposals, donor engagement, and partnership development.

Key Deliverables

• Support 100% of major grant proposals with research and supporting data.
• Produce country profiles, sector analyses, and needs assessments as required.
• Identify emerging funding and development opportunities.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation & Organizational Learning

Responsibilities

• Oversee research quality, impact measurement, and organizational learning systems.
• Promote evidence-based decision-making across all departments.

Key Deliverables

• Publish an Annual Impact Report.
• Conduct quarterly program learning reviews.
• Ensure organizational KPIs are supported by reliable data and analysis.

5. Knowledge Management & Strategic Partnerships

Responsibilities

• Strengthen GSI's reputation as a trusted research and policy institution through publications and partnerships.

Key Deliverables

• Publish at least four flagship research reports annually.
• Establish 3–5 new partnerships each year with universities, think tanks, or research institutions.
• Represent GSI at strategic conferences, policy forums, and research networks.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be measured by:

• Delivery of the annual research agenda.
• Number and quality of research publications and policy briefs.
• Research contributions to successful grant proposals and partnerships.
• Timeliness and quality of executive intelligence reports.
• Implementation of MEL and organizational learning systems.
• Number of active academic and research partnerships.
• Evidence of research informing GSI programs, policy engagement, and strategic decisions.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons. 

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace. 

Join us in leading positive change!

Quilombo UK is looking for an experienced Research Assistant, who would love to join a growing organisation.

The Research Assistant role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to: 

• Gain experience in the Third Sector. 

• Develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'.

The role provides you with flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary, specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Since its creation, Quilombo UK has collected a great amount of information, evidence and items through projects, fundraisers, events etc.

• We are looking for a team member to find published materials related to Quilombo UK key objectives and interests, especially cultural and racial diversity, and stereotypes in UK communities. The materials include all types of evidence, articles, journals, newspaper columns, local and global news stories. 

• The researcher will help to collect information that can be used as an evidence base to help inform future activities, and also in exhibitions, workshops, and community events. 

• We are looking for a self-starter who can source, collect, and share relevant materials independently. You will also be working closely with our Professional Development Programme participants in relevant areas such as Marketing and PR.

• Provide written reports as and when required. To undertake additional duties as required for the role.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential:

• You will need to have good written skills and be able to explain concepts and projects concisely and accurately. 

• You will be self-starting and willing to research the various projects that we have carried out and catalogue all the evidence collected.

• You will need to have good communication and team-working skills as you will be working closely with Marketing & PR and other members.

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

• Be computer literate - a good understanding of Microsoft Word is essential and Excel skills are beneficial although support from other members will be provided if necessary.

• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments 

• Be a strong team player.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

• Proficiency in Microsoft and Excel

• Can work without much supervision.

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

About Quilombo UK

Quilombo UK is a social justice organisation dedicated to inspiring individuals to "See, Think, Behave and Speak Differently" about equality, diversity, and inclusion. We create engaging experiences—ranging from our Beyond Bias training to our "Voices for All" podcasts—that raise awareness and empower unheard voices within our diverse communities.

The Research department serves as the intellectual foundation of our mission. As Operations Manager of Department, you will lead the critical task of gathering evidence, data, and lived-experience narratives that inform our training programmes and public discourse. While we host the Professional Development Programme (PDP) to support career changers, the Research function is a core strategic pillar that ensures our advocacy is grounded in fact and that the systemic barriers faced by our communities are accurately identified and challenged.

Operations Manager of Department (Research)

The Opportunity

This position offers a significant career step-up, providing experience in managing complex research projects and data analysis within a social justice framework. In this Operations Manager of Department capacity, you will gain the leadership credentials and strategic oversight necessary to advance your professional trajectory while ensuring our organisation’s voice remains authoritative, evidence-based, and impactful.

Role Purpose

The Operations Manager of Research sits between Directors and Managers, turning high-level investigative goals into clear, deliverable research plans. You own the direction, methodology, and delivery control of the Research department to ensure that all reports, white papers, and data sets are produced with academic rigour, accuracy, and pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Research Planning: Turning Director objectives into practical research schedules, including literature reviews, data collection phases, and report drafting.

• Manager Leadership: Coaching Research Managers to coordinate field work and data analysis effectively, ensuring all project components are visible in MeisterTask.

• Assurance & Quality Control: Reducing rework by refining research methodologies and ensuring all outputs are fact-checked and peer-reviewed before reaching the final sign-off stage.

• Director Reporting: Providing weekly reports on the research pipeline (active studies, pending analysis, and upcoming publications), WIP status, and risks to project timelines.

• Culture & Standards: Ensuring all research activities align with ethical guidelines, data protection standards, and Quilombo UK’s professional values.

Additional Professional Benefits

• Career Development: A full CV and profile review conducted by our Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development teams.

• Operational Support: Access to the services of the Legal, HR, PR, and Graphic Design teams for up to 10 hours per month for professional or departmental support (e.g., legal review of ethics or graphic design for data visualisation).

• Proactive Recruitment: Use of the Talent Acquisition team to actively search out new roles and opportunities via industry portals and LinkedIn.

Requirements

• Proven experience in research management, academic research, or social science investigation.

• A portfolio of published reports, articles, or research papers / CV.

• Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and project management software (such as MeisterTask).

• Flexibility and openness to work on a variety of subjects related to EDI and social justice.

• Focused, organised, and able to prioritise complex analytical tasks under tight deadlines.

• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments.

• Strong team player with the ability to lead through others.

• Excellent written communication skills with a keen eye for detail and data accuracy.

• Degree in Social Sciences, Research Methods, Humanities, or a related field is a plus.

• This is a 100% remote-only position.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

Selection Process

• Informal interview.

• Requirement of two professional references.

Role Profile: Programme Sales & Admissions Specialist (L&D Fellowship) - Volunteer 

• Programme Association: Enhanced Professional Development Programme (ePDP)

• Organisation: Quilombo UK (Registered Community Interest Company & Accredited Training Establishment)

• Role Type: Part-time | Volunteer Placement with Integrated Professional Development Scholarship + Performance Reward

• Commitment: 12 hours per week (Structured as two 6-hour shifts)

• Duration: Minimum 16-week commitment

• Location: Remote (UK-Wide)

• Reporting to: Director of Sales & Admissions

. About Quilombo UK

Quilombo UK is a dedicated registered Community Interest Company (CIC) and a registered training establishment on a mission to close the "UK Professional Experience Gap." We provide ambitious international professionals, career pivoters, and graduates with the practical work experience, soft-skills development, and strategic mentoring they need to successfully step into UK corporate careers.

 Role Summary

Are you an ambitious communicator, a career changer looking to break into corporate sales/recruitment, or an international graduate (MSc/MBA) wanting to build a high-performance commercial CV in the UK?

We are seeking a motivated, empathetic Volunteer Programme Sales & Admissions Specialist to join our remote team. In this target-driven role, you will manage our warm candidate pipeline and lead consultative 1-on-1 enrollment sessions for prospective participants looking to join our flagship Enhanced Professional Development Programme (ePDP).

Rather than a standard, low-responsibility voluntary placement, we offer an exceptional, structured two-way professional value exchange: in return for your dedication and pipeline closures, we invest heavily in your personal development by gifting you our fully accredited, premium career-transition curriculum, backed by real performance honorariums and a verifiable director's recommendation.

. The Value Exchange (What We Offer You)

• The L&D Scholarship (Value £400): We completely waive your enrolment fees for our premium, CPD-certified Enhanced Professional Development Programme (ePDP). You will receive professional CV restructuring, AI interview simulations, monthly Skills Audits, and live career coaching entirely free of charge.

• Accredited CPD Hours: Upon successful graduation, you will be awarded a formal Certificate of Practical Competency carrying 100 accredited CPD hours, giving you an institutional-grade, industry-recognised credential on your CV.

• Enrollment Performance Reward (Option B): To support your development and directly recognise your commercial impact on our organisation, we provide a £25 performance honorarium for every candidate you successfully onboard into the programme. This reward is unlocked and processed as soon as the participant’s first monthly contribution successfully clears.

• Director's Endorsement & Reference: Upon successful completion of your 16-week tenure, our Director will write a personalized, metrics-driven recommendation on your LinkedIn profile, certifying your exact performance, CRM proficiency, and pipeline conversion data to show future employers.

• Supportive Onboarding: We provide a structured, 4-week ramp-up period with direct mentorship to build your confidence and sales skills before you manage any pipelines independently.

. Key Responsibilities 

As a professional environment reflecting corporate standards, you are expected to treat this placement as you would a paid engagement:

• Attendance & Commitment: Engage in work-based activities for the full 16-week duration, committing to 12 hours per week (structured as two scheduled 6-hour shifts, with training times occurring strictly between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM as per your onboarding timetable).

• Admissions Consulting: Lead warm, consultative 1-on-1 Google Meet enrollment sessions with pre-screened candidates to explain our curriculum, structures, and outcomes.

• Pipeline Management: Use our MeisterTask CRM and Google Workspace tools to systematically organize, update, and manage your incoming applications.

• Agreement Walkthroughs: Walk candidates through our simple programme contract and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), answering questions with professional confidence and poise.

• Fintech Setup: Assist candidates in completing their recurring Direct Debit mandates via GoCardless during live enrolment sessions.

• KPI Delivery: Consistently work toward a highly calibrated, confidence-building target of 5 successful enrolments per week to keep your pipeline healthy.

 Who We Are Looking For

• The Career Changer: Anyone wanting to transition into recruitment, consultative closing, business development, or account management.

• The Empathetic Communicator: Natural relationship-builders with strong verbal and written English skills who enjoy active outbound calling and warm video consultations.

• The Metrics-Driven Professional: Individuals who want to build a high-performance CV backed by real, verifiable commercial data (e.g., conversion rates, pipeline values).

• No prior formal sales experience is required; we provide complete, structured closing frameworks, scripts, and daily coaching.

Volunteering Reality: Quilombo UK is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) and an accredited training establishment. This is a voluntary role with an integrated professional development scholarship (CPD certified for 100 hours) and a performance-linked honorarium model. There is no base salary. It is designed specifically for self-motivated individuals looking to gain high-value UK commercial experience and professional credentials.