Academic director volunteer roles

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

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.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice. We are committed to helping create a more healthy, sustainable and equitable world for everyone, because we believe our shared future.

LSHTM was established in 1899 and is incorporated under a Royal Charter granted in 1924. The Charter establishes its Council as the “supreme governing body” of LSHTM. Council is responsible for the strategic direction of LSHTM and approves major developments and receives regular reports from Executive Officers on the operations of its business, in accordance with the Financial Memorandum between LSHTM and the Office for Students (OfS).

Council is also responsible for its governance, control and supervision in accordance with the LSHTM’s Charter and relevant external regulations. These external requirements are set out in the Financial Memorandum between LSHTM and the OfS. The Council comprises a majority of lay members, as well as staff members and a student member. The roles of Chair and Deputy Chair of the Council are separated from the role of LSHTM’s Chief Executive, the Director.

Council has two vacancies for the role of independent member of Council. LSHTM has identified a number of areas where relevant expertise from any new Council members would be welcomed:

• Finance, Accounting and Investment Management
• Business, Enterprise, SMEs and start-ups
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Digital

Amongst the desirable attributes sought from members of Council and its Committees are:

• A strong personal commitment to the mission and objectives of LSHTM;
• Collaborative skills and the ability to work as a member of a team, including with other Council and Committee members, students and academic and professional services staff;
• Tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively;
• Ability to contribute to constructive and rigorous challenge;
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of LSHTM;
• A demonstrable commitment to equity and diversity. 

Time Commitment

The nature of the role requires a commitment of time to prepare, attend and actively participate in Council and Committee meetings. Council meets four times a year and its Committees meet between three and six times a year depending on the Committee. 

Remuneration

This is a non-remunerated role that does not attract a salary or honorarium. Independent members of Council and Committees will be able to claim reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred in the course of LSHTM business. 

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.

Closing date: Thursday 30 July 2026.

We welcome your consideration to join our board of trustees.

Feeding Britain is the charity established in 2015 to implement the recommendations of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Hunger in the United Kingdom. We are working toward a future where nobody in the UK goes hungry, through a combination of direct project delivery, the allocation of grants to local partner organisations, and through our parliamentary links which enable us to provide policy recommendations based on the findings of our own Academic Advisory Group.

Feeding Britain is radically reforming the role, characteristics, and functions of community food provision across the UK through the establishment and development of Affordable Food Clubs which offer beneficiaries attainable pathways from poverty with a reduced risk of depending on emergency food parcels.

Expansion has been rapid: we are soon to establish our 150th local Feeding Britain partnership. In late 2023 we were selected as one of three Christmas Appeal charities by The Times & Sunday Times, in 2025 we were chosen as The Old Vic’s Christmas fundraising charity partner, and in 2026 we announced a long-term partnership with Gordon Ramsay. This is in addition to our Nourish The Nation partnership with Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s.

We are expanding our trustee board and seek a recruit with interest and expertise in finance and/or risk management, to serve as the trustee lead to oversee this aspect of our work. In addition, candidates should have a strong empathy towards our mission to tackle food poverty in innovative and creative ways. The broad duties of a trustee are outlined in Charity Commission website guidance, The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do.

Role Description

The Trustee will take on the functions of an Honorary Treasurer, in monitoring the financial administration of the charity and, alongside the Finance Director, reporting to the board of trustees at regular intervals on its state of financial health.

Responsibilities may include:

· Leading in the board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled, invested and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements

· Leading in the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost‐management and investment policies, as well as financial control and risk-management procedures alongside sound budgetary and accounting practices

· Liaising, where applicable, with the appropriate member of staff responsible for the financial activities of the organisation

· Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity

· Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan

· Acting as a counter signatory on charity cheques and important applications to funders

· Board‐level liaison with the external auditors on specific issues such as the Auditors’ Management Letter and the related board representations.

Essential Person Specifications:

· Current knowledge of accountancy, auditing, bookkeeping and financial management practices

· Strategic financial planning, forecasting, and reporting skills

· The ability to present and communicate financial information in an accessible way

· An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of a trustee

· A commitment to devote the necessary time to prepare for, attend and contribute meaningfully at trustee meetings

Thank you for your consideration.

As a charity, our Trustees are the governing body of our organisation. They fulfil a vital role and help ensure that the Mayor’s Fund for London delivers on its mission and purpose and uses its resources effectively. Much more than that, they help set and shape the strategy of the Charity, they live its values, and they are ambassadors on its behalf.

We are currently recruiting for 3 new Trustees.

As a charity that supports and champions better outcomes for young people in London, we are especially interested in recruiting some new trustees aged 24-30. This may be through direct experience of the challenges young Londoners are facing, through experience and knowledge of our programmes and activities, and/or a desire to take a step into a strategic governance role with a charity whose mission matters to them.

The Board already has a wide range of diversity, experience and expertise, and we are keen to continue to broaden that experience through this recruitment. In particular, we are looking for some knowledge in:

•  Charity Finance 
•  Data and Technology 
•  Funding and Income Generation 

At the Mayor’s Fund for London, we want our Trustees to feel part of our team. To bring insights and experience into our organisation, and to be prepared to work collaboratively with staff and young people, to shape opportunities for the future.

The Board meets four times per year (March, July, September, and December), and has one sub-committee covering Finance, Audit and Risk (FAR), which meets two weeks before the Board. Trustees are expected to attend all full Board meetings, and those nominated to join the FAR Committee are expected to attend those meetings too. All of our meetings are currently online to allow flexibility, and there is an expectation that, from time to time, Trustees will engage with the staff team and be present at our events.

How to apply

Please provide a copy of your CV and, in no more than 1-2 pages, a written response to these two questions:

• Why are you interested in becoming a Trustee of the Mayor’s Fund for London, including your interest and connection with our mission and values?

• What are the particular attributes, experience and/or expertise you can bring to the role of Trustee?

Application deadline: midday on Tuesday, 11th August 2026

Full details and further information, including support during the application stage, can be found in our recruitment pack.