Data management volunteer roles

Unibaio

We enhance crop protection efficiency through biodegradable chitosan microparticles, reducing chemical use while maintaining yields.

Data Scientist (Chemistry-focused)

At Unibaio, we are building a biodegradable nano-delivery platform that enhances how agrochemicals interact with plants — allowing farmers to reduce chemical use while maintaining or improving yields (Yes! less chemicals on our food!).
Now, we’re taking a step further.
We’re exploring how AI can accelerate formulation discovery, helping us identify which agrochemicals are most likely to perform well with our technology — before running costly and time-consuming field trials.
To do this, we’ll be competing in the final round of CodeLaunch, where we’ll build a working MVP in just 48 hours alongside a team of developers.

�� What we’re building

A lightweight AI-powered tool that:

• Predicts key physicochemical properties of agrochemicals
• Compares candidates against our internal dataset of successful/unsuccessful combinations
• Classifies them into “Closer to YES” / “Closer to NO”
• (Optional) Explains predictions using LLMs

This is not about replacing experiments — it’s about prioritizing what to test next, dramatically accelerating R&D cycles.

�� Who we’re looking for

A Data Scientist with strong chemistry intuition, ideally with experience in:

• Cheminformatics (RDKit, DeepChem, molecular descriptors, fingerprints)
• Working with chemical datasets (PubChem or similar)
• Similarity models (Tanimoto, clustering, k-NN, Random Forest, etc.)
• Translating scientific problems into simple, testable models

Bonus if you:

• Have worked on small datasets / low-data ML problems
• Are comfortable building scrappy MVPs fast
• Are excited about applying AI to real-world, high-impact problems

⚡ What’s the opportunity

• Join us during the CodeLaunch finals hackathon (48h sprint)
• Work directly with founders and a dev team on a real product with real data
• Be part of a project at the intersection of AI, chemistry, and climate impact

�� And if there’s a good fit, this can evolve into an ongoing collaboration to build this into a core capability at Unibaio.

�� Why this matters

Agriculture depends heavily on chemical inputs — but most of them are inefficiently used.
At Unibaio, we’re already showing that we can reduce usage by up to 50% in real-world conditions.
With AI, we aim to scale that impact faster, unlocking better combinations, faster validation, and ultimately reducing environmental impact at global scale.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

1-2 months

MednTech

We provide an Android AI tool that analyzes cervical images to support frontline screening decisions.

Data Preprocessing Model Specialist-Input Quality & Standardization

About MednTech
MednTech is a nonprofit organization developing AI-powered tools to improve early detection of cervical cancer and expand access to care in underserved communities, particularly in Africa. It works by equipping frontline healthcare providers with accessible technology and partnering with local health systems to improve outcomes and empower patients. We have already implemented our diagnostic model in real-world settings in Rwanda. We are now looking to further improve its performance and robustness before our next deployment, and are currently seeking volunteers to support this initiative.

Why Volunteer With Us

We are early-stage, moving fast, and building something that matters. You will have real ownership over technical decisions that directly shape a tool going into the field. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the world, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer death in low-resource settings simply because screening does not reach the people who need it. The tool you help build changes that. If you want your code to save lives, this is that opportunity!

Role Overview
Your role will be to aid design and implement a preprocessing model that ensures all incoming cervical images meet strict quality and consistency standards before being passed into downstream models.
Our cervical cancer screening method is dependent on pictures taken using a smartphone, leading to large variation in lighting and cervix positions in the image. On top of natural variances in fluid blockages or rotation and angle or cervix, it’s important that only valid images are run through our model.

Key Responsibilities

• Build automated checks for:
• Lighting normalization
• Blur and focus detection
• Angle and framing validation
• Specular reflection handling
• Develop preprocessing models or heuristics to:
• Enhance image quality (contrast, de-noising)
• Standardize image format, resolution, and scale
• Implement image rejection and acceptance criteria pipeline
• Create a quality scoring system for input images
• Collaborate with CV and ML engineers to optimize preprocessing impact on performance
• Optimize preprocessing for real-world noisy data (mobile capture, low-resource settings)

Required Skills

• Strong background in computer vision fundamentals
• Experience with OpenCV, PIL, or similar image processing libraries
• Understanding of image quality metrics
• Experience building automated data validation pipelines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with medical image preprocessing

• Familiarity with variability across capture devices and environments

• All roles are highly collaborative and will work closely across the MednTech AI pipeline

• Experience with healthcare AI, low-resource environments, or global health applications is a strong plus

• Candidates should be comfortable working in fast-paced, early-stage environments

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

One-off project

Have you confidently used the Beacon CRM system before? Do you thonk you could share your experience of Beacon use and functionality with otthers?

We are looking for someone experienced in the use of Beacon CRM system who can assist our Funrasing & Engagement Team to make the best of this software and can asist with data analysis to help us build our fundraising contacts and achievements.

MednTech

We provide an Android AI tool that analyzes cervical images to support frontline screening decisions.

Synthetic Data Engineer-Medical Imaging

About MedNTech
MednTech is a nonprofit organization developing AI-powered tools to improve early detection of cervical cancer and expand access to care in underserved communities, particularly in Africa. It works by equipping frontline healthcare providers with accessible technology and partnering with local health systems to improve outcomes and empower patients. We have already implemented our diagnostic model in real-world settings in Rwanda. We are now looking to further improve its performance and robustness before our next deployment, and are currently seeking volunteers to support this initiative.

Why Volunteer With Us

We are early-stage, moving fast, and building something that matters. You will have real ownership over technical decisions that directly shape a tool going into the field. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the world, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer death in low-resource settings simply because screening does not reach the people who need it. The tool you help build changes that. If you want your code to save lives, this is that opportunity!

Role Overview
We are looking for a data professional to design and implement synthetic data generation pipelines. These images will be used to augment limited cervical image datasets and improve the robustness of our cervical cancer screening model.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop synthetic image pipelines using diffusion models (Stable Diffusion, DreamBooth, LoRA) or GAN-based approaches
• Generate class-balanced datasets, particularly for underrepresented abnormal cases
• Design and run experiments comparing real vs synthetic vs hybrid datasets
• Evaluate synthetic data quality using FID, KID, and downstream model performance
• Implement prompt engineering and conditioning strategies for medically realistic outputs
• Perform domain gap analysis between real and synthetic data
• Collaborate with ML engineers to integrate synthetic data into training pipelines

Required Skills

• Experience with PyTorch and Hugging Face Diffusers or GAN frameworks
• Strong understanding of data augmentation vs synthetic generation tradeoffs
• Experience evaluating generative models (FID, distribution alignment)
• Familiarity with medical imaging challenges (preferred but not required)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GAN based models and LoRA fine-tuning pipelines

• Prior work with imbalanced or medical datasets

• Understanding of bias in synthetic data

• All roles are highly collaborative and will work closely across the MednTech AI pipeline

• Experience with healthcare AI, low-resource environments, or global health applications is a strong plus

• Candidates should be comfortable working in fast-paced, early-stage environments

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

One-off project

Department: ICT

Reports To: CEO

Location: Remote or on site (Ware, Hertfordshire)

Start date: As soon as possible

All Nations Christian College has been leading the way in cross-cultural mission training for over 60 years. We provide a flexible undergraduate programme validated by The Open University, alongside specialist short courses and a well-established postgraduate programme for mission leaders. Central to our ability to deliver high standards of education and growth for our students is a highly skilled, diverse and engaged team, ready to serve and make a difference.

Role Purpose

The ICT Project Manager is responsible for managing key ICT projects to support the college’s organisational objectives. The role will project manage external ICT suppliers and partners, and all stakeholders, whilst delivering key ICT projects during a period of significant change.

Key Responsibilities

 ICT Project Management

• Develop and maintain individual project plans, whilst managing and monitoring progress of all ICT projects via the master ICT Project Schedule.
• Ensure projects are delivered in line with agreed scope, quality, security and budget constraints.
• Provide regular progress reporting to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with project teams, ensuring representation from all relevant departments from project initiation, through testing, to the acceptance of change and operational handover.

Supplier Management

• Manage relationships with external ICT suppliers and service providers, acting as the primary point of contact.
• Oversee supplier performance against contracts, addressing issues and evaluating  service provision.
• Ensure suppliers comply with organisational policies, security standards, and regulatory requirements.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure projects and services comply with information security, data protection, and organisational governance standards.
• Identify, manage, and escalate risks and issues appropriately.
• Maintain accurate project and service documentation.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing multiple concurrent ICT projects in a changing organisational environment.
• Strong experience managing and partnering with third-party suppliers and contracts.
• Knowledge of ICT systems, infrastructure, cloud services, and digital solutions.
• Experience of working closely with ICT operational services and other departments and teams.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience

Aptidude and Values

• Calm under pressure
• A heart for Christian cross-cultural mission
• A reourceful team player, able to work in a changing environment

Key Competencies

• ICT project leadership
• Supplier and team management
• Problem solving and decision making
• Attention to detail and quality whilst seeing the bigger picture
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• A completer-finisher by nature

Other information

· All Nations Christian College is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk from abuse and neglect. We expect all staff who work with us to share this commitment, and staff will be required to be checked with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

· Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Role Purpose

The Manager leads the Ethics Team as a volunteer, ensuring that all research conducted across the organisation meets high ethical standards. They translate strategic goals into practical plans, support volunteers in their development, and maintain a positive, inclusive team culture. The Manager provides oversight, guidance and operational leadership to ensure ethical, responsible and consistent research practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and support the Ethics Team to deliver high‑quality ethical oversight.

• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans and manageable tasks.

• Allocate volunteer capacity effectively and ensure smooth day‑to‑day functioning.

• Provide expert guidance on ethical standards, research integrity and data management.

• Support project teams in designing ethically robust research methodologies.

• Make operational decisions that maintain compliance and effective team performance.

• Monitor and evaluate volunteer performance, supporting development and confidence‑building.

• Promote a positive, inclusive and supportive volunteer environment.

• Resolve conflict, encourage collaboration and strengthen team cohesion.

• Supervise Senior Officers/Senior Researchers/Senior Advisors and provide ongoing support.

Competency Requirements (Manager)

To succeed in this volunteer leadership role, the Manager should demonstrate:

• Strong ethical awareness and the ability to guide others in applying ethical principles.

• Clear, confident and sensitive communication skills.

• Collaborative leadership that encourages shared responsibility for ethical practice.

• Professionalism, integrity and fairness in all interactions.

• Confident problem‑solving and risk‑aware decision‑making.

• The ability to translate strategy into practical, achievable plans.

• Supportive people‑management skills, including coaching, feedback and conflict resolution.

• Effective resource and capacity management.

• A commitment to volunteer wellbeing and positive team culture.

Role Requirements (Manager)

Because this is a senior volunteer leadership role, the following experience is required:

• At least 4 years of experience conducting research and managing ethical considerations, including applying ethical frameworks and handling data responsibly.

• A minimum of 2 years of progressive supervision experience in a research or ethics‑related context (e.g., supervising researchers, overseeing ethical review processes, or leading project teams).

• A strong understanding of research governance, ethical risk and responsible data management.

• Experience supporting others’ development, ideally in a volunteer or mixed‑experience environment.

LUXEED Robotics

We deploy AI-driven laser weeding robots to eliminate herbicides and protect soil, water, and yields.

Plant Sciences & Computer Vision (Agronomy)

Responsibilities:

• Periodically identify and document various weed species, phenotypes, and BBCH-Scale versus carrot and spinach crops in real-world conditions.
• Selective Field Analysis: Conduct onsite assessments primarily when moving to new fields.
• Organize botanical data and labels to help the AI team improve real-time weed detection and tracking.
• Create guidelines and documentation to help image-labellers with their job.
• Act as the final reviewer on our labelling platform to identify wrong labels.
• Plant Growth Documentation: Identify crops and weeds across all growth stages to ensure reliable depth estimation and perception.
• Evaluate the biological and optical fidelity of computer-generated images to ensure generated images accurately reflect real-world field conditions.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in Applied Biology or Horticulture & Business Management BSc
• Strong Botanical Eye: You can reliably tell the difference between a carrot cotyledon and a blade of grass.
• Tech-Curious: You don't need to be a coder, but you are comfortable working with digital tools
• Detail-Oriented: Precision is everything when lasers are involved.
• Language: English; Dutch is a plus

What We Offer:

• Hybrid & Task-Based: A flexible schedule (~10-20 hours/week) that fits your studies.
• Impact: Work on cutting-edge technology that directly eliminates chemical use in agriculture.
• Innovation: Be part of a fast-paced R&D environment in the heart of the Limburg agtech scene.
• Free transportation when needed for field visits.

Minimum Hours per Week:

7-9 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

Could you become one of our Trustees to help guide our work? 

World Horse Welfare’s volunteers help our work in many different ways, from lending a hand at one of our farms to joining our Council of Trustees. This elected group of professionals is responsible for the overall governance and strategy of our charity and, to do this effectively, our Council includes people with diverse areas of expertise, interests and backgrounds. In return for their time and knowledge, Trustees enjoy the opportunity to use and build their skills, attend a range of special events, become part of an outstanding network, and influence the direction of our charity. 

We currently have two vacancies – for a practicing equine veterinary surgeon and for someone with significant experience in one or more of the following areas: fundraising, cybersecurity and data management (where equine experience would be a bonus, but you only need an empathy with our aims and an interest in helping to guide our work). We take pride in our values of being realistic in our approach, compassionate in our attitudes, and forward-thinking in anticipating challenge. The successful person will be expected to share these values. 

The charity embraces a diversity of perspectives to inform our day-to-day work, and for this to be reflected in the membership of our Council. We encourage expressions of interest from currently under-represented groups, including people from a broad age range, LGBTQ+, ethnically diverse communities and people with disabilities.

Kurapa Moyo

We empower African youth, women, and communities through mental-health advocacy, training, and healing programs.

Programs Assistant

​The Program Assistant will support the routine operations of the Wellness hotline and Wellness advocacy program. He / She will handle scheduling and event coordination, data entry and passing all communication to the volunteers. The ideal candidate should be detail oriented and good at multi-tasking. This role is completely voluntary but Kurapa Moyo will provide a $100 data stipend. 

​KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• ​Administrative Support: Manage calendars, schedule monthly meetings with the volunteers, and take detailed minutes during program sessions.
• ​Logistics & Events: Coordinate logistics for meetings, webinars and trainings. This involves generating and sharing meeting/ training links and ensuring the materials for the trainings are well organised.
• ​Data Management: Maintain accurate program records, update databases, and assist in preparing monthly progress reports.
• Communication: Serve as a primary point of contact for the program volunteers, share reminders about biweekly updates, monthly meetings and report submission.
• Content Assistance: Support/ participate in drafting newsletters and social media posts to promote program milestones.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Are you a compassionate, good listener with a non-judgmental attitude?  Are you keen to make a difference and contribute to the impact BCWA makes?

We’re looking for friendly, empathetic volunteers to join us, who have strong interpersonal skills and are able to navigate digital systems. Whether you’re a confident communicator who wants to help survivors or a reliable and honest volunteer looking to build your administration and inputting skills, we’d love to have you on board as a SPOC Administration Volunteer!

Administration Volunteers will volunteer within the BCWA SPOC Team, who provide key administrative support to all BCWA services. Volunteers will assist in the smooth running of SPOC; they will access and input case data, collaborating with SPOC staff to ensure cases are allocated correctly. They will also have the opportunity to answer phone calls and enquiries, once they become confident in their role.  The SPOC team is a busy, sometimes high-pressure environment – our volunteers are integral at our busiest times of the year to ensure our clients and services get the support they need.

Volunteering with our SPOC team as an administrator might look like:

• Inputting data into the BCWA case management system.
• Consulting with our SPOC staff to ensure correct allocations.
• Reading referral information and identifying and establishing types of abuse.
• Future opportunities to answer enquiries and phone calls once you have an established knowledge of BCWA services and feel comfortable doing so.
• Being an advocate for BCWA!

As a BCWA SPOC Volunteer, you’ll get:

• All the training you need to understand and be prepared for your role with us, so you can use your time with us to grow and learn!
• Regular check-ins and contact with our Volunteer Coordinator as an opportunity to catch up, reflect and feedback on your volunteering experience with us.
• Access to the Wisdom App and the BCWA wellbeing provision.
• Access high quality support and advice from BCWA whenever you need it.
• Your travel to and from sessions expensed.
• A reference to support you in your next steps, whether that is a voluntary or paid role elsewhere.
• The knowledge that you’re making a real difference to the lives of victims and survivors of violence and abuse as you volunteer alongside a passionate and experienced team!

Important information for all positions

Black Country Women’s Aid is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for an enhanced disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions.

Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. The post holder must be female.

Volunteering checks

As a responsible volunteer provider we adhere to safer recruitment practice and all our volunteers are subject to the following checks:

Right to volunteer in the UK

To avoid discrimination we treat all volunteer applicants equally.

We therefore ask all volunteers to confirm they have a Right to Volunteer in the UK.

References

If offered a volunteer role, we will seek 2 references. Ideally, one of these should be your current or last employer, however we understand this isn’t always possible. We ask that one of your referees has known you at least a year.

Examples of references could include:

• a professional from your centre of study, for instance a teacher, lecturer or headteacher
• GP or health visitor
• a character reference from a person who knows you (no familial relations or partners)
• a civil servant from a government agency
• a bank manager

DBS

All volunteer roles are subject to DBS checks at the relevant level.

Description

Our Sight Loss Counselling team provides counselling and information over the phone and online to people who are impacted by sight loss. Our client group is diverse, with the majority of clients being over the age of 50. We also offer our service to children and young people, run training workshops on Sight Loss Counselling and facilitate short-term support groups for people with sight loss and their friends and families.

In this role you will be the first point of contact for all incoming clients and you’ll provide service information in a timely, efficient, and sensitive manner. You will be liaising between counsellors and clients and will carry out a range of admin duties and ensure client confidentiality. You may have the opportunity to contribute to the development of administrative systems.

How often will I be needed?

• 1 Days per Week

Key requirements

• One reference

Home based

• This role is home based

Additional location information

• This is a home based role to be carried out on a weekday between 9am and 5pm.

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Ability to understand the importance of confidentiality
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Experience of providing administrative support within an office environment and using administrative systems and procedures
• Experience of using Microsoft Office packages
• Experience of data management/ CRM systems.

About Us

The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC) is a registered charity based in Wolverhampton that supports, empowers, and advocates for women and children.

We aim to encourage women to become self-reliant by helping them identify their needs, make informed choices, and create their own solutions. Our services include a baby bank, a charity shop, and a range of community support initiatives for women facing crises or challenging circumstances.

Our Wolverhampton Baby Bank is a flagship project supporting families with children aged 0–3 by providing essential items and connecting them to vital community services.

About the Role

We are looking for a dedicated and organised Volunteer Office Manager (Onsite Volunteer) to oversee day-to-day administrative operations and act as the first point of contact for clients, visitors, and enquiries.

This is a key role within the organisation, ensuring smooth communication, efficient processes, and a high standard of compassionate service delivery to the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for all incoming phone inquiries and visitors.

• Respond to client inquiries professionally and compassionately.

• Conduct initial intake screening and gather essential client information.

• Schedule appointments and manage staff calendars.

• Maintain accurate records of calls, referrals, and appointments.

• Manage email correspondence and administrative communications.

• Prepare, organize, and securely maintain client documentation.

• Maintain digital and physical filing systems in compliance with data protection policies.

• Support day-to-day office operations and ensure smooth administrative workflow.

• Track action items from meetings and follow up with relevant staff.

• Assist in preparing reports, summaries, and operational documentation.

• Coordinate communication between staff, volunteers, and external partners.

• Monitor office supplies and maintain administrative resources.

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality, and organizational policies.

• Escalate urgent, complex, or sensitive cases to appropriate personnel.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Confident handling phone and client-facing interactions
• Compassionate, professional, and client-focused approach
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection practices

Experience & Qualifications

• Previous experience in office administration, customer service, or similar roles preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit, community, or healthcare settings is an advantage
• Degree in Business Administration, Management, or related field (preferred but not essential).

Why Volunteer With Us?

• Gain hands-on experience in office management and operations
• Develop leadership, communication, and coordination skills
• Work in a supportive, purpose-driven environment
• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of women and families
• Build valuable experience for your CV

Apply Now

If you’re organised, compassionate, and looking to make a real difference while building your professional experience, we’d love to hear from you.

Build, manage, and protect the digital backbone of a national men’s wellbeing movement

MINDSET is creating a new kind of men’s wellbeing charity — one built on action, challenge, humour, and real‑world connection. To deliver our programmes, support our volunteers, and keep our data safe, we need a strong, reliable digital foundation.

We’re looking for a founding volunteer to lead on sourcing, setting up, and maintaining all our cloud‑based platforms and devices. This is a crucial role for someone who loves systems, enjoys problem‑solving, and wants to build something meaningful from the ground up.

What This Role Is About

You’ll be the architect and guardian of our digital ecosystem — ensuring our CRM, case‑management system, email, shared drives, and devices are secure, functional, and easy for volunteers to use. You’ll also create resources and deliver induction sessions so every new volunteer feels confident navigating our systems.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys tech, values data security, and wants to make a real impact behind the scenes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Build & Maintain Our Cloud‑Based Systems

• Source and set up platforms such as CRM, case‑management, email, and shared drives

• Configure systems so they’re simple, secure, and aligned with our workflows

• Maintain accounts, permissions, and access levels

2. Configure & Manage Devices

• Set up laptops, tablets, or other devices for MINDSET use

• Ensure devices are secure, updated, and compliant with data‑protection standards

• Implement best‑practice security measures (passwords, MFA, encryption, etc.)

3. Safeguard Data & Security

• Ensure all systems meet GDPR and data‑protection requirements

• Monitor security risks and implement preventative measures

• Maintain clear documentation and data‑handling processes

4. Provide Troubleshooting & Support

• Offer support to volunteers when technical issues arise

• Resolve problems quickly and calmly

• Keep systems running smoothly with minimal downtime

5. Create Resources & Deliver Training

• Develop simple guides, videos, or walkthroughs for volunteers

• Lead or support induction sessions on how to use our systems

• Ensure every volunteer feels confident and supported

Who This Role Is Perfect For

Someone who is:

• Experienced with cloud platforms, CRMs, or IT systems

• Organised, methodical, and proactive

• Passionate about data security and good digital practice

• Patient, supportive, and good at explaining tech to non‑tech people

• Excited by building systems from scratch

• Able to work independently and take initiative

What You’ll Get Out of This

• A founding leadership role shaping the digital backbone of a national charity

• Experience in IT management, systems design, and digital operations

• Opportunities to grow your skills and lead on meaningful projects

• A supportive team that values clarity, humour, and purpose

• The satisfaction of knowing your work directly supports men’s wellbeing across the UK

Ready to Build the Digital Heart of MINDSET?

If you want to help create a secure, smooth, and empowering digital environment for our volunteers and participants, we’d love to hear from you.

People & Planet is looking for volunteers to assist with compiling its 2026/27 People & Planet University League; the only higher education ranking that classifies based on ethics and climate justice criteria.

Universities impart skills and knowledge, form life-long beliefs and behaviours, act as centres of communities, employ, house and feed large numbers of people and promote the creation and sharing of knowledge. We believe this makes them uniquely placed to lead on environmental and ethical issues. For this reason the People & Planet University League has been running since 2007 and has been published by high-profile media partners such as The Guardian (2021, 2022. 2023, 2024, 2025), The BBC, and whose data is used in the Sunday Time Good University Guide.

Volunteers will research publicly available university documents and assess universities against our marking criteria, which cover a wide range of climate and social justice issues including decarbonisation, fossil fuel divestment, ethical banking, workers’ rights and environmental management among others. This work will help to incentivise the university sector towards taking immediate and appropriate action on the climate crisis and upholding the rights and wellbeing of all people internationally.

The role will develop and improve the following areas:

• Qualitative research skills

• Attention to detail

• Use of data collection software

• Time management and keeping to deadlines

• Working independently and remotely

• Communication skills

• Knowledge of environmental management processes and sustainability reporting.

Training is provided for the role. We believe the skills and experience gained could be valuable for a number of career paths, including working in NGOs, corporate sustainability, estates management, higher education policy making, research and campaigning among many others.

People & Planet would like to support volunteers in their future careers, so will give all volunteers an official reference letter on successful completion of their placement and will act as a referee for future positions for which you may apply. From last year’s cohort, 100% said they would recommend this position to someone who wanted to add experience to their CV.

Feedback from previous volunteers

‘I think as someone looking for relevant experience to bolster a CV, this is a helpful and not-too-time-consuming position. It had exactly the kind of flexibility that I required at this point in time.’

‘It's a really great opportunity to hone one's research skills, learn more about what our universities can do to improve their impact on the planet, and make a small but real difference.’

Person Specification -the following are essential:

• Access to a computer or laptop and internet connection.

• Familiarity with desk-based research.

• Ability to work accurately and efficiently to agreed standards.

• Reliability and commitment to completing work to deadlines.

• Able to communicate needs with staff at People & Planet and if needed, ask for appropriate support to complete tasks in time.

• Ability to search policy documents for specific information in English.

• Ability to assess information against standardised frameworks.

• Ability to work remotely and independently

The following are desirable:

• Awareness of current issues in sustainability and ethics.

• Experience of research and data collection.

• An interest in higher education policy.

Please note anyone employed by a UK university cannot volunteer as a Researcher.

You will need to commit to

• Two 25 hour weeks of remote work in July and August.

• 5 hours work per day for the two week period. Volunteers can manage their own time flexibly and will receive support from People & Planet, but must meet task deadlines on a weekly basis and attend a short daily meeting. Volunteers are free to work evenings and weekends, but please note People & Planet operates a 4 day week from 9-5.

• One induction session the week prior to your 2 week engagement.

• Completion of a self-access standardisation activity prior to the start of your engagement.

• Attending a brief meeting in the morning or afternoon each day and one individual check-in meeting in week 1.

• Checking the work chat function regularly.

Summer timetable

June 22nd-July 3rd Ethical Investment and Banking, Ethical Careers and Recruitment, Education for Sustainable Development. Induction 18th June 10am

July 13th-July 24th Sustainable Food, Staff & HR, Environmental Policy and Strategy Induction 9th July 10am

August 3rd-August 14th Managing Carbon, Workers’ Rights, Staff and Student Engagement. Induction 30th July 10am

How to Apply

Fill in this form and attach a C.V that has your full name in the filename.

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until positions are filled, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. The deadline for applications is Wednesday the 20th May at 11:59

Candidates will need to attend a non-competitive group recruitment session and complete an online self-access task before being invited to volunteer with us.

Please let us know if you have specific access needs and what we can do to make the interview, training and volunteer experience more accessible to you, including organising a one-on-one interview. We welcome people with hearing loss, deaf and or disabled people to apply for this volunteer opportunity -unfortunately we don't use BSL so would need to make alternative support provisions for the training, unless a BSL interpreter can join you. If you have specific needs where we might support you by making this volunteering opportunity more accessible, please contact us.

People & Planet welcome applications from BAME folks and people of colour, from disabled people, from LGBTQI*people, from people who speak English as a second language, from people who identify as non-binary gender, from women, from people of different ages, from people with caring responsibilities and from people with irregular migration status, people seeking asylum in the UK or with a migrant background, folks with a working class background, and everyone else.