Volunteer roles for the Research sector

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.

About TRATSEDI

TRATSEDI is a UK-registered non-profit organisation advancing inclusive, accessible, and transformative transport services, particularly for people experiencing vulnerabilities. Our webinar series brings together global scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and community actors to share insights and shape inclusive transport futures.

As TRATSEDI’s webinar programme grows, we are building a structured, high-quality Webinar Knowledge Library to document learning, showcase impact, and support future guest speakers and partners.

Role Purpose

The TRATSEDI Webinar Archivist is responsible for capturing, curating, and preserving the intellectual and practical outputs of TRATSEDI webinars.

Rather than simply storing recordings, this role focuses on transforming webinars into accessible knowledge assets—including summaries, reports, and curated web content—that reflect TRATSEDI’s mission and can be shared with prospective speakers, collaborators, funders, and the wider public.

Key Responsibilities

1. Webinar Knowledge Capture

• Collect all post-webinar materials, including:
  • Final webinar poster
  • Speaker biography and photo
  • Microsoft Teams recording
  • YouTube video link
• Ensure materials are complete and correctly labelled.

2. Knowledge Curation & Archiving

• Maintain the TRATSEDI Webinar Archive using agreed folder structures and naming conventions.
• Organise webinars by year, theme, and speaker.
• Maintain an archive log tracking completed and pending webinar outputs.
• Ensure long-term accessibility and consistency of materials.

3. Webinar Insights & Reporting

• Write concise webinar insight reports, including:
  • Event overview
  • Key ideas and discussions
  • Implications for research, policy, and practice
• Ensure reports align with TRATSEDI’s scholarly yet accessible tone.
• Prepare web-ready or PDF versions of reports.

4. Website & Digital Publishing Support

• Upload completed webinar content to the TRATSEDI website, including:
  • Poster
  • Speaker bio
  • Recording link
  • Insight report
• Update webinar pages from “upcoming” to “completed.”
• Check links, formatting, and accessibility.

5. Knowledge Dissemination Support

• Support post-webinar dissemination by:
  • Preparing short LinkedIn summaries (in coordination with the Communications Lead).
  • Sharing reports and recordings via approved WhatsApp groups.
  • Ensuring YouTube titles and descriptions are accurate and consistent.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Strong organisational and documentation skills.
• Attention to detail and consistency.
• Good written communication skills.
• Confidence using digital tools (Google Drive, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams).
• Ability to follow templates and SOPs independently.

Desirable

• Experience in content curation, archiving, or knowledge management.
• Familiarity with websites or content management systems.
• Basic formatting or design skills (Word, PDF, Canva).
• Interest in transport, accessibility, disability inclusion, or social impact research.

What TRATSEDI Offers

• Certificate of Volunteering.
• Letter of recommendation (upon successful completion).
• Experience contributing to an international knowledge and impact initiative.
• Opportunity to work with leading scholars and practitioners.
• Recognition as part of the TRATSEDI team (website and publications).
• Fully remote and flexible volunteering arrangement.

How to Apply

Please send a short expression of interest (200–300 words) outlining:

• Your interest in the role
• Relevant skills or experience

Make a difference to the lives of disabled and elderly consumers.

The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) is looking for two new board trustees.

Are you an enthusiastic and creative individual who enjoys a challenge?

• Do you want to join a team that is determined to grow the reach and impact of the organisation?
• Do you have a lived experience of disability or a long-term health condition?
• Do you have the time to commit to helping us grow the impact of RiDC?

We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with strong financial expertise who can help safeguard and strengthen RiDC’s long-term sustainability. This may include experience in accountancy, investment management or broader financial services, with a sound understanding of investment principles, portfolio oversight and financial markets, ideally including experience of advising on charitable or smaller funds.

EDINBURGH MARATHON FESTIVAL

​We are delighted to be Charity Partner for the Edinburgh Marathon this year, and are looking forward to supporting the event and all of the wonderful participants, some of whom will be running on our behalf.​

In order to support this event, we are looking for a team of volunteers to help with a couple of roles which will include:

• Cheering on the runners, to create a supportive and engaging atmosphere
• Charity Tent Marshalls 

​The event takes place on the ​24th May 2026, so if you would like to get involved as a volunteer, are perhaps local to the area or able to travel for the day, then we would be delighted to hear from you.

​​​For further details please take a look at our Volunteer Role Description 

If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete your details by clicking the Apply for this Job button and we will be in touch to discuss your role further.​​

​

A volunteer is someone who provides unpaid support to Brain Tumour Research.

BRIGHTON MARATHON

​

We are delighted to be Charity Partner for the Brighton Marathon this year, and are looking forward to supporting the event and all of the wonderful participants, some of whom will be running on our behalf.

​

In order to support this event, we are looking for a small team of volunteers to help with a number of roles which will include 

• Cheering on the runners, to create a supportive and engaging atmosphere
• Marshalls
• Water Station Marshalls
• Finish Line Marshalls

​

​The event takes place on the 12th April 2026, so if you would like to get involved as a volunteer, are perhaps local to the area or able to travel for the day, then we would be delighted to hear from you.

​​​For further details please take a look at our Volunteer Role Description via the link below. 

The first stage is to register your details on our tracking system and a member of our Community Fundraising Team will be in touch to discuss your interest.

A volunteer is someone who provides unpaid support to Brain Tumour Research

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.