Senior researcher volunteer roles in Edinburgh

We’re looking for a new Brand, Communications and Creative Trustee who can use their skills to support our growing charity. In early 2026, CLAPA relaunched with a new brand identity. This role will ensure that our team are supported in brand and content strategy and making the most of the new brand for growth and engagement.

The Brand, Communications and Creative Trustee will participate in all areas of the charity’s governance with a special interest in brand strategy, content, communications and creative to support with the Board’s understanding and interpretation.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we continue to implement our 5-year strategy for 2025-2030.

About CLAPA

The Cleft Lip and Palate Action (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA supports people affected by cleft to take control of their journey, connect with others, and use their voices to impact the future of care. Our vision is that no one affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom will go through their journey alone.

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.

Role Purpose

Senior Policy Advisors provide leadership, analytical expertise, and strategic oversight within Youth Advantage UK’s policy function. Whether placed in Policy Planning or Impact Development, you will help shape the direction of our national and local policy projects, ensure high‑quality decision‑making, and support volunteers to produce work capable of achieving real impact for young people.

This role is ideal for someone with professional policy exposure, strong research capability, and sound judgment in reviewing decisions and guiding project direction.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Supervision

• Delegate tasks to Officers/Researchers/Advisors based on project needs and volunteer strengths.

• Provide direct supervision, support, and quality assurance for team outputs.

• Help resolve issues, remove barriers, and maintain a supportive team environment.

• Contribute to volunteer development through coaching, feedback, and skills support.

• Build strong working relationships across the department and collaborate closely with the manager.

2. Policy Planning or Impact Development (depending on placement)

If in Policy Planning

• Review and assess project ideas identified through horizon scanning or other approved channels.

• Apply the organisation’s project assessment checklist to determine whether proposals should progress to initial research or local project development.

• Work with other departments to plan early‑stage projects and ensure effective collaboration.

• Ensure that proposed work is strategically aligned, feasible, and likely to generate meaningful outcomes.

If in Impact Development

• Review findings from initial research or early‑stage projects to determine next steps.

• Provide guidance to relevant teams on strengthening impact, refining recommendations, or redirecting work where necessary.

• Support the preparation of materials for meetings with decision‑makers or external stakeholders.

• Ensure that all progressing work remains capable of achieving real, measurable impact.

3. Strategic Input & Decision Support

• Support the manager in planning, prioritisation, and decision‑making.

• Identify risks, opportunities, and resource considerations within ongoing projects.

• Contribute to the development of internal processes, frameworks, and best‑practice guidance.

• Uphold high standards of clarity, evidence, and organisational alignment.

Role Requirements

Essential

1. At least 2 years of progressive professional exposure to government policy, public administration, or related policy environments.

2. Academic or research background with the ability to understand organisational resourcing, capacity constraints, and feasibility considerations.

3. Experience reviewing decisions and exercising sound judgment, particularly in assessing project viability, strategic alignment, and potential impact.

4. Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills.

5. Excellent written communication and ability to synthesise complex information.

6. Ability to supervise and support volunteers with empathy and clarity.

Role Purpose

This is a senior volunteer leadership role designed to provide strategic and operational resilience across the department.

The Deputy Head works across both the Ethics Team and the Research Reporting Team, ensuring that ethical standards, research integrity and high‑quality reporting are upheld across all departmental activity.

Core Duties

• Support the Head of Department in delivering strategic and operational leadership.

• Provide continuity, stability and leadership resilience across the department.

• Lead delegated strategic initiatives or operational areas as assigned by the Head of Department.

• Share responsibility for departmental planning, performance monitoring and reporting.

• Support Senior Managers and Managers, offering guidance, oversight and problem‑solving support.

• Contribute to departmental policy development, risk management and quality assurance.

• Act as a key point of contact for cross‑departmental collaboration and organisational alignment.

• Step into leadership when required to ensure smooth, uninterrupted departmental operations.

Competency Requirements (Deputy Head)

To succeed in this senior volunteer leadership role, the Deputy Head should demonstrate:

• Strategic leadership capability, with the ability to translate organisational goals into departmental plans.

• Advanced ethical awareness, including deep understanding of research ethics, integrity and responsible data management.

• Clear, confident communication, suitable for volunteers, senior leaders and Trustees.

• Collaborative leadership, fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive departmental culture.

• Professionalism and integrity, modelling fairness, consistency and ethical behaviour.

• Sound judgement and decision‑making, especially in complex or sensitive ethical scenarios.

• Operational oversight skills, including planning, resource management and performance monitoring.

• Risk awareness, with the ability to identify, assess and mitigate ethical, operational and reputational risks.

• Ability to support and develop others, including Senior Managers, Managers and wider volunteers.

• Commitment to GDPR compliance, responsible data handling and good governance practices.

• Adaptability, particularly during the interim leadership period and subsequent transition.

Role Requirements (Deputy Head)

Given the seniority and responsibility of this volunteer role, the following experience is required:

• A PhD is required, along with postdoctoral research experience, or significant academic or practical research experience at an equivalent level, demonstrating advanced expertise in research design, ethics, governance or reporting.

• Substantial experience in research ethics, research governance or research leadership, ideally across multiple projects or teams.

• Experience in strategic planning, departmental oversight or senior‑level decision‑making, whether in a volunteer, academic or professional context.

• A strong track record of ethical decision‑making, particularly in roles where judgement, integrity and risk assessment were central.

• Experience with research reporting, research communication or academic publication processes is highly beneficial.

• A strong interest in ethical governance, research integrity and maintaining high standards across research projects.

• Familiarity with GDPR and responsible data management practices, or willingness to develop this knowledge quickly.

• Experience working with volunteers or mixed‑experience teams is advantageous.

Role Purpose

The Deputy Head of Ethics & Research Reporting is a senior volunteer leadership role designed to provide strategic and operational resilience across the department. This role will initially serve as Interim Head of Ethics & Research Reporting during the Head of Department’s leave of absence, assuming full leadership responsibilities. When the Head returns in May, the Deputy will transition into the standard Deputy Head role, continuing to provide leadership continuity, oversight and support.

The Deputy Head works across both the Ethics Team and the Research Reporting Team, ensuring that ethical standards, research integrity and high‑quality reporting are upheld across all departmental activity.

Key Responsibilities

During Interim Headship (until May)

• Provide full strategic and operational leadership for the Ethics & Research Reporting Department.

• Set departmental priorities, oversee planning and ensure alignment with organisational strategy.

• Lead and motivate Senior Managers, Managers and wider departmental volunteers.

• Ensure ethical governance, research integrity and responsible data practices across all projects.

• Oversee departmental performance, reporting regularly to C‑Level leadership and Trustees.

• Maintain oversight of departmental budgets, costs and resource needs in collaboration with relevant teams.

• Ensure GDPR compliance and good data‑handling practices across the department.

• Identify and mitigate risks, ensuring safe, ethical and compliant operations.

• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures and quality standards.

• Ensure accurate, timely reporting and documentation across both Ethics and Research Reporting functions.

After Transition to Deputy Head (from May onwards)

• Support the Head of Department in delivering strategic and operational leadership.

• Provide continuity, stability and leadership resilience across the department.

• Lead delegated strategic initiatives or operational areas as assigned by the Head of Department.

• Share responsibility for departmental planning, performance monitoring and reporting.

• Support Senior Managers and Managers, offering guidance, oversight and problem‑solving support.

• Contribute to departmental policy development, risk management and quality assurance.

• Act as a key point of contact for cross‑departmental collaboration and organisational alignment.

• Step into leadership when required to ensure smooth, uninterrupted departmental operations.

Competency Requirements (Deputy Head)

To succeed in this senior volunteer leadership role, the Deputy Head should demonstrate:

• Strategic leadership capability, with the ability to translate organisational goals into departmental plans.

• Advanced ethical awareness, including deep understanding of research ethics, integrity and responsible data management.

• Clear, confident communication, suitable for volunteers, senior leaders and Trustees.

• Collaborative leadership, fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive departmental culture.

• Professionalism and integrity, modelling fairness, consistency and ethical behaviour.

• Sound judgement and decision‑making, especially in complex or sensitive ethical scenarios.

• Operational oversight skills, including planning, resource management and performance monitoring.

• Risk awareness, with the ability to identify, assess and mitigate ethical, operational and reputational risks.

• Ability to support and develop others, including Senior Managers, Managers and wider volunteers.

• Commitment to GDPR compliance, responsible data handling and good governance practices.

• Adaptability, particularly during the interim leadership period and subsequent transition.

Role Requirements (Deputy Head)

Given the seniority and responsibility of this volunteer role, the following experience is required:

• A PhD is required, along with postdoctoral research experience, or significant academic or practical research experience at an equivalent level, demonstrating advanced expertise in research design, ethics, governance or reporting.

• Substantial experience in research ethics, research governance or research leadership, ideally across multiple projects or teams.

• Experience in strategic planning, departmental oversight or senior‑level decision‑making, whether in a volunteer, academic or professional context.

• A strong track record of ethical decision‑making, particularly in roles where judgement, integrity and risk assessment were central.

• Experience with research reporting, research communication or academic publication processes is highly beneficial.

• A strong interest in ethical governance, research integrity and maintaining high standards across research projects.

• Familiarity with GDPR and responsible data management practices, or willingness to develop this knowledge quickly.

• Experience working with volunteers or mixed‑experience teams is advantageous.

Supporting a values-led organisation through inclusive and effective people practices

Equality in Tourism is a not-for-profit organisation working to advance gender equality and social justice across the global tourism industry. Through research, partnerships and advocacy, we support a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable tourism sector.

Our work relies on a dedicated network of volunteers, who contribute their time and expertise in different ways. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Senior HR & Volunteer Lead to help strengthen how we recruit, support and engage this community.

This is a key volunteer leadership role, suited to someone who can bring both strategic oversight and practical guidance to our people practices.

The Role

You will work closely with the leadership team to ensure that our internal practices reflect our commitment to equity, inclusion and fair work.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and refining our volunteer recruitment approach, ensuring it is inclusive, transparent, and genuinely reflects our values

• Developing and maintaining appropriate HR processes and policies for a small, mission-driven organisation

• Supporting effective and welcoming onboarding practices for new volunteers

• Advising on volunteer engagement, wellbeing and retention

• Providing guidance to volunteer managers to support a respectful, collaborative and inclusive working environment

• Establishing clear approaches to feedback and development for the volunteers

• Contributing to a culture that reflects Equality in Tourism’s commitment to gender equality, diversity and ethical practice

About You

We are looking for someone with senior-level experience in HR, people management or organisational development, ideally with an understanding of the not-for-profit or voluntary sector.

You will bring:

• Experience in developing or advising on inclusive HR and recruitment practices

• The ability to balance structure with flexibility in a small organisation

• Strong interpersonal and advisory skills, with a collaborative and supportive approach

• An interest in, and commitment to, gender equality, human rights and sustainable tourism

• The confidence to work both strategically and at a practical level

Why This Role Matters

Our volunteers play a central role in delivering our work. Ensuring they are supported, respected and effectively engaged is essential to our impact.

In this role, you will help to ensure that:

• Our internal practices are aligned with our external mission

• Volunteers have a positive and meaningful experience and encourage volunteer retention 

• We continue to grow in a way that is inclusive, sustainable and values-driven

What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to contribute to an organisation working to influence positive change in global tourism policy and practice

• A meaningful leadership role within a respected, purpose-driven organisation

• The chance to apply your professional expertise in support of social impact

• Experience working with a committed, international network

United Nations CSO, Centre for Big Synergy, reaches over 250M in over 120 countries. We are seeking a research and outreach lead to help reach potential partners for various UK and global programmes. 

What will you be doing?

An opportunity to contribute to world leading projects impacting millions of people across the globe. Projects span across multiple sectors such as film and media, education, DEI, environment and climate change amongst others.

• Research key stakeholders/potential partners that fit our target audience. Working on LinkedIn and other partnership platforms
• Identify and collect details and impact of potential partner leads
• Compile, format, and maintain clean, accurate databases
• Cross-check data for accuracy and support wider outreach and campaign activity

This role is very flexible and can be fitted around your availability.

What are we looking for?

A committed and meticulous person, passionate about making the world a more sustainable, safer and peaceful place.

• Have some experience of research and working with senior leadership across organisations and identifying potential partners and stakeholders
• Ability to research and maintain database of potential partners, work on lead generation and follow ups
• Prompt communication and timekeeping, ability to deliver on time
• Maintain confidentiality and utmost standards of professional etiquette.

What difference will you make?

Billions of people globally, are unaware of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) let alone take any steps to create a more sustainable world for themselves and in the process for others in this complexly interconnected world.

Our projects and initiatives help educate the British as well as global societies about the UN SDGs. Your contributions can educate and inspire millions to act on the SDGs and bring positive changes that will impact all of us in this complexly interconnected world.

It will also help partner organisations join forces and work in synergy to amplify the impact of the initiative through communal as well as individual efforts. Thus, benefitting more lives that we would have helped acting alone.

African Development Choices (ADC) is a UK-registered charity on a mission to reduce poverty by empowering communities to make more informed choices in the management of public resources.

ADC’s purpose is to enable communities to independently meet their needs for essential services, such as clean water and safe sanitation, and improve lives in Africa.

At ADC we encourage a working culture of seeking and giving input, showing and taking initiative, and commitment to the organisation and its purpose.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a volunteer Senior AI Agent Architect to join ADC and help build a live prototype of MajiGuard AI.

Main purpose of job:

To lead the technical design and hands-on development of MajiGuard AI, an agentic AI prototype that helps ADC identify underused WASH resources, structure recovery and reallocation cases, and verify that recovered value reaches facility upgrades and operations and maintenance.

Division: Technology / AI Innovation

Department: Product & Engineering

Position reports to: Head of AI Innovation

Direct reports for the position: Volunteer AI engineers, developers and technical contributors

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end architecture of MajiGuard AI, including the selection and integration of models, agent workflows, orchestration tools, retrieval systems, data structures and human-in-the-loop controls appropriate for a live prototype.

• Translate ADC’s operational goals into practical AI workflows, especially for identifying underused WASH resources, standardising evidence and case preparation, supporting recovery and reallocation decisions, and verifying delivery of value to facility improvements and ongoing operations and maintenance.

• Build and iterate a live prototype using pragmatic, cost-effective tooling, with strong attention to reliability, traceability, security, maintainability and ease of future scaling.

• Design structured inputs, prompts, evaluation criteria and decision logic so that outputs are useful to non-technical ADC teams working across programmes, research, partnerships and leadership.

• Establish a technical roadmap for the prototype, including architecture choices, milestone planning, testing priorities, deployment options and documentation for future funders, partners and developers.

• Work closely with ADC leadership to shape the product vision and ensure the prototype aligns with ADC’s wider governance and public service innovation model.

• Advise on suitable approaches for data governance, privacy, model risk, hallucination control, auditability and responsible AI use in the context of public-resource management and service delivery.

• Define and monitor prototype success metrics, including usefulness, accuracy, turnaround time, workflow fit, and operational learning that can strengthen grant applications, partnerships and future product development.

• Support the transition from local experimentation to a live prototype environment, including basic cloud or hosted deployment thinking, version control practices and engineering handover readiness.

• Mentor and coordinate other volunteer technical contributors where relevant, helping ADC build a small but high-quality AI capability around MajiGuard AI.

Knowledge, skills, and experience:

Essential

• 8+ years of relevant experience in AI, machine learning, applied NLP, intelligent automation, agentic systems, or modern software engineering for production-grade data or AI products

• Strong hands-on experience designing and building AI systems, including LLM-based applications, retrieval-augmented generation, agent workflows, orchestration frameworks, evaluation pipelines and API integrations

• Experience taking ideas from concept or prototype stage into a usable live product, pilot or production-like environment

• Excellent technical judgement on model selection, system design trade-offs, latency, reliability, observability and cost-conscious engineering

• Strong programming ability, ideally including Python and modern backend tooling, with the ability to work across architecture, implementation and troubleshooting

• Experience designing structured workflows where AI outputs must be reviewable, auditable and useful for operational decision-making
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and translate mission goals into practical product choices
• Interest in using AI to strengthen public service delivery, accountability, governance, resource allocation, or adjacent social impact problems
• Ability to actively take initiative and help set things up in a start-up environment
• Ability to actively seek and give input in a collaborative team environment
• A committed team player with good communication skills
• Available to volunteer at least 8-12 hours a week

Desirable

• Experience with agentic AI products involving workflow automation, task routing, multi-step reasoning, document intelligence or evidence-based case management
• Experience with cloud deployment, containerisation, CI/CD, databases, vector stores, authentication and production monitoring for AI systems
• Experience working on civic tech, govtech, development, WASH, infrastructure, audit, compliance or public-finance-related products
• Experience working in an early-stage start-up or mission-driven organisation and comfortable operating with ambiguity
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading small technical teams across different locations and time zones

What ADC Offers You

This is a volunteer, remote and unpaid position with the following benefits:

• A chance to play a foundational role in shaping MajiGuard AI from concept into a live prototype with real strategic relevance to ADC’s mission
• An opportunity to apply advanced AI and product-building skills to a meaningful public-interest challenge connected to WASH, accountability and service delivery in Africa
• An opportunity to work with a diverse global team and contribute to an organisation seeking systemic social change
• Professional learning, leadership and portfolio-building opportunities through high-ownership work
• Work reference provided

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Here at African Development Choices, we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our teams are made up of people from all over the world and we welcome all applications. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition, and you require any reasonable adjustments for your application with us, please let us know by contacting recruitment(at)africandevelopmentchoices(dot)org.

Trustee - Treasurer

Voluntary (unpaid) role, reasonable expenses paid.

About us

Learning and Work Institute is an independent policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work. Our vision is for a fair and prosperous society where learning and work enable everyone to realise their potential. We research what works, influence policy, and develop new ideas to improve practice.

The Role

Learning and Work Institute are seeking a Trustee acting as Treasurer to join our expert Board. Applications from underrepresented groups are encouraged.

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity and its financial health. They help to develop the organisation’s aims, objectives, and goals in accordance with the governing document, and legal and regulatory guidelines.

As a Trustee you will:

· Contribute to the development, approval and monitoring of organisational strategy.

· Oversee financial performance and ensure effective financial stewardship.

· Provide constructive challenge and support to the executive team.

· Safeguard the organisation’s reputation, values and assets.

· Act in the best interests of the organisation at all times.

· Serve as an ambassador for Learning and Work Institute where appropriate.

Our latest financial statements and strategic plan can be found on our website.

You will be driven by our mission to widen access to learning and work opportunities so everyone in society can realise their potential.

The successful candidate will:

· Share our passion for everyone to have the opportunity in life to reach their ambitions and potential.

· Understand governance and preferably have experience of adult education or employment support, or experience in related sectors like housing, local government or the private sector that can help inform our work.

· Have the capacity to lend support and expertise.

· Demonstrate a sense of proportion of control relative to L&W’s operational needs and size.

· Be objective and independent without bias to any particular interest or stakeholder.

· Possess analytical ability, informed judgment, and the ability to focus on strategic issues.

· Have perspective, broad knowledge and experience that can be applied to discussions and decisions at Board level.

· An ability to balance challenge and support to the executive team.

In addition, while all Trustees take responsibility for the finances of the organisation, the Treasurer plays a key role and link between the Board and executive team and so requires:

· A recognised financial qualification or equivalent senior financial experience.

· Knowledge of treasury and investment matters.

· Finance expertise for the board.

· Partnership with the experienced L&W Finance function.

We value equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from different backgrounds and groups underrepresented in our Board, organisation and sector.  We are also committed to making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have accessibility requirements.

Trustees are appointed for a 3-year term. The Board meets four times a year for approximately 2.5 hours and has a Strategic Away Day each January. Two sub-committees each meet up to three times a year at which nominated trustees may be appointed. Meetings are a mix of in person in Leicester and London and online.

Trustees will be required to undertake appropriate pre- appointment checks. This may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, depending on the nature of the role and committee responsibilities.

If you possess the experience and attributes above and have a passion to support the delivery of our vision, then you could be the person we are seeking. Applications that include CV and covering letter are welcomed through the link below.

The closing date for applications is 12th May 2026. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

Should you have any questions please contact the HR Team.

Description
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Working Relationships: C-Level Executives, National Research, Policy, Ethics, Research Reporting, and Local Operations
Location: Remote, UK-based
Time Commitment: Part-time | Flexible hours | Long term commitment

About the Role
We are seeking a volunteer Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership across our national and local operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective delivery of projects and research, maintaining ethical and operational standards, and driving continuous improvement across all organisational systems and processes.

This is a senior voluntary position ideal for an experienced operations or strategy leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to make an impact in the not-for-profit or research sector.

Please note: This is a voluntary and unpaid role. There is no direct financial compensation or future paid opportunity attached.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of Policy, Ethics and Research Reporting, National Operations, and Local Operations (including projects and research).

• Oversee operational delivery to ensure smooth, ethical, and effective implementation of all projects.

• Lead the optimisation of systems, structures, and processes to maximise organisational efficiency.

• Ensure resource allocation is effective and aligned with strategic goals.

• Support and collaborate with C-Level colleagues to drive organisational progress.

• Attend high-level meetings and provide regular operational updates and recommendations.

• Act as a key decision-maker in operational strategy, compliance, and performance management.

• Support and coach department heads and senior managers to strengthen internal leadership capacity.

• Step in to provide hands-on support to other C-Level officers and direct reports when needed.

What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a confident, experienced, and adaptable leader who can bring structure, strategy, and calm to a dynamic environment. You’ll be most successful in this role if you have:
• Significant experience in operations management, project delivery, or organisational leadership.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple teams or departments in complex environments.
• Strong ethical grounding and commitment to compliance and transparency.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
• Experience mentoring or managing senior leaders or functional heads.
• Comfort working remotely with cross-functional, volunteer-led teams.
• A collaborative, supportive leadership style and openness to learning and adaptation.
• An understanding of the not-for-profit, research, or policy sectors (advantageous but not essential).

What You’ll Gain
• The opportunity to lead national operations for a values-led organisation making a tangible impact.
• Executive-level experience within a collaborative, mission-driven C-Suite.
• The chance to refine strategic and operational leadership skills in a complex, real-world setting.
• Recognition through:
o LinkedIn testimonial and reference
o A public thank you post
o Permission to list the organisation as an employer on your CV/LinkedIn
o A written reference upon completion of your commitment

Important Information
This is a voluntary position. There is no financial payment, benefits, or employment status. This opportunity is ideal for seasoned operations leaders or executives seeking to contribute their expertise to a meaningful, values-driven mission and support the growth of an impactful organisation.

Apply Now
If you’re ready to help shape the strategic and operational backbone of a growing organisation and support our mission through effective leadership, we’d love to hear from you.

The e-Assessment Association (eAA) is the leading professional membership body promoting better assessment through technology. We bring together awarding organisations, education providers, technology suppliers, researchers and policymakers to advance high-quality, innovative assessment practice in the UK and internationally.

We are now seeking a new Chair of the Board to lead the next phase of the Association’s development.

This is a high-impact governance role for an experienced senior leader who is passionate about assessment, education and technology, and who enjoys working collaboratively to make a difference across a complex and evolving sector.

Why this role matters

The Chair plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction, influence and effectiveness of the eAA.

Working with a committed Board of Directors and a small, professional operational team, the Chair provides strategic leadership, ensures strong governance, and acts as an ambassador for the Association and its members.

The Chair of the eAA Limited also serves as Chair of the Board of e-Assessment Services Limited, the Association’s trading subsidiary, supporting the sustainability and growth of the organisation.

This is an opportunity to:

• lead a respected, member-led organisation at the forefront of digital assessment;
• influence policy, practice and debate across assessment and education technology;
• support the continued professionalisation and growth of the Association; and
• work with a knowledgeable, engaged Board and an experienced executive team.

The role is supported by an annual honorarium of £6,000 in recognition of the time commitment and responsibility involved.

What you’ll be doing

As Chair, you will:

Provide strategic leadership

• Lead the Board in setting the strategic direction of the Association and monitoring progress against agreed objectives.
• Support the long-term sustainability, relevance and impact of the eAA.

Ensure strong governance

Ensure the Association operates within its governance framework and complies with all statutory and fiduciary duties.
Foster a positive, inclusive and professional Board culture that encourages open discussion, diverse perspectives and collective decision-making.
Work closely with the Vice-Chair and other Directors to maintain continuity and effective governance processes.
Support and challenge the Executive

• Provide support, guidance and constructive challenge to the CEO and operations team.
• Oversee performance against strategic and operational goals.
• Review budgets, management accounts and strategic plans in collaboration with the Treasurer and executive team.

Represent and advocate

• Act as an ambassador for the Association with members, partners, sponsors and external stakeholders.
• Represent the eAA at key events, including the e-Assessment International Conference and Awards.
• Use your networks and credibility to enhance the Association’s profile and influence.

Essential experience and attributes

• Senior leadership experience within assessment, education or educational technology.
• A strong understanding of assessment principles and the role of technology in transforming assessment practice.
• Demonstrated Board-level governance experience, ideally within a company limited by guarantee, charity or membership organisation.
• Excellent chairing and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead a diverse Board effectively.
• Strategic thinking, integrity and the confidence to provide constructive challenge.
• Strong communication and ambassadorial skills.

Desirable

• Experience of working in or alongside professional associations or member-led organisations.
• Established networks across education, assessment and technology sectors.
• Experience representing an organisation publicly at conferences or sector events.

About YAUK

Youth Advantage UK is a charitable organization that uses a research-led approach to inform policy work and projects that aim to promote and further the human rights of young people aged 11 to 25 across the United Kingdom.

Please note that this is a remote VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

We are looking to recruit a Communications Manager who can provide strong and stable operational management of the communications teams, directly supervising Senior Officers, while working with the departmental head to develop the department.

Responsibilities

• To provide effective operational management of teams within the Communications Department 

• To directly provide guidance, support and direction to Senior Officers who oversee the teams within the department

• To welcome new volunteers to the department and work alongside the departmental heads to improve team culture

• To plan the work of the department and support with strategic decision making

• To provide support as required to ensure that the communications teams are achieving their goals and making progress

Requirements

• To have at least 2 years of communications and marketing experience

• To have demonstrated leadership skills in a previous professional setting

• To have held a management level position

• To have strong IT and digital working skills

• To be competent in the use of Canva, Wix and social media

Benefits

• This is a UK-based, 100% fully remote and flexible role.

• Supportive team and management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights, and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

Why Volunteer with Us?

We are a supportive and friendly organization that takes pride in developing and nurturing our volunteers and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations.

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organization, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Role Purpose

The Chief Governance & People Officer (CGPO) is a senior C-suite executive responsible for ensuring the organisation operates with strong governance, legal compliance, and a healthy, engaged volunteer culture. The CGPO provides strategic leadership across governance, legal support, HR, culture, learning, and volunteer experience. They oversee multiple Heads of Department, set strategic direction for their portfolio, and collaborate closely with the CEO, Trustees, and other C-level Officers to drive organisational performance and long-term development.​

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Lead governance, legal support, and HR strategy across the organisation.

• Drive portfolio performance and ensure alignment with organisational goals.

• Contribute to C‑suite decision‑making and long‑term planning.

2. Governance Leadership

• Maintain an up‑to‑date governing document and ensure regulatory compliance.

• Oversee GDPR and data protection standards.

• Support Trustees with governance advice and reporting.

3. Legal Support Oversight

• Oversee legal risk management and compliance processes.

• Review key legal documents and guide legal research.

• Strengthen organisational understanding of legal responsibilities.

4. HR Leadership & Culture Development

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and volunteer checks.

• Provide strategic oversight of conduct, standards, and people policy.

• Promote a positive volunteer culture and engagement.

• Lead development of training pathways and HR policies.

5. Portfolio Management & Line Management

• Line‑manage Co‑Heads of HR and the Head of Governance & Legal Support.

• Provide strategic direction, coaching, and performance oversight.

• Ensure effective cross‑department collaboration and clarity of roles.

6. C‑Suite Collaboration & Organisational Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO, Deputy CEO, COO, CPO, and Trustees.

• Shape organisation‑wide policies, frameworks, and strategic initiatives

Person Specification (Applicant Criteria)

Essential Criteria

• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, or legal frameworks.

• Experience in HR, people management, or organisational culture development.

• Ability to lead multiple departments and manage senior volunteers.

• Excellent communication, judgement, and decision‑making skills.

• Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and legal documents.

• Experience handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organisational goals into actionable plans.

• Demonstrated commitment to ethical leadership and safeguarding good practice.

• Ability to work collaboratively at executive level.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with Trustees or governance boards.

• Knowledge of GDPR, data protection, and risk management.

• Background in law, HR, organisational development, or compliance.

• Experience in volunteer‑led organisations or the charity sector.

• Ability to design and deliver training or learning programmes.

• Experience managing organisational change or culture initiatives.

About YAUK

Youth Advantage UK is a charitable organization that uses a research-led approach to inform policy work and projects that aim to promote and further the human rights of young people aged 11 to 25 across the United Kingdom.

Please note that this is a remote VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the CEO on matters of urgency and importance to the organization.
• Manage the agenda for meetings the CEO holds ensuring all actions are allocated for actioning
• Sign post management across the organisation as required
• Handle multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously
• Organizing and coordinating meetings, appointments, and events to ensure efficient time management for the CEO
• Handling Communications: Acting as the first point of contact for the CEO, managing correspondence.
• Preparing reports, presentations, and other documents needed for meetings and decision-making.
• Assisting with various administrative tasks such as record-keeping and office management.
• Coordinating specific tasks as assigned by the CEO
• Acting as a bridge between the CEO and other senior management, ensuring smooth communication

Requirements

• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Experience in fast-paced environments.
• Good IT skills.
• Ability to use remote systems.
• Ability to engage with others well.
• Good people skills.

Benefits

• This is a UK-based, 100% fully remote and flexible role.
• Supportive team and management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.
• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights, and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

Why Volunteer with Us?

We are a supportive and friendly organization that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations.

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organization, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!