Research Associate - National Youth Agency
Contract: 12-month Fixed Term Contract (with potential to extend)
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £30,000 – £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Remote: This role is 100% homebased with occasional travel for staff residentials and other events.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Knowledge Team, working alongside two existing Research Associates and a Data Analyst.
You will be integral in delivering research, data, and insights that support organisational development and programme delivery across NYA.
We are looking for an experienced mixed-methods researcher with a strong understanding of social research and evaluation approaches. Ideally, you will have experience working in or alongside the youth sector and be confident using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
You’ll need to be flexible, proactive, and a strong communicator, able to explain complex ideas to varied audiences.
This role is ideal for someone looking to make a tangible difference through evidence-led approaches that shape policy, practice, and impact in youth work.
Key responsibilities for this role will include:
- Designing and delivering research projects using a range of methods including surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
- Supporting the development of the NYA research and data hub, including external research collation and data visualisation.
- Leading on evaluations to meet funder requirements and contribute to NYA’s growing evidence base.
- Analysing data from NYA programmes to support impact measurement.
- Promoting evidence-based practice across NYA and the wider youth sector.
- Communicating findings clearly through reports, briefings, and presentations.
- Managing research projects and collaborating with internal and external partners to deliver on time and to quality.
- Responding to internal and external research enquiries.
The ideal candidate will have experience in social research, familiarity with various research methodologies, and the ability to communicate complex findings to diverse audiences.
Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.
Why Work for NYA?
NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
How to Apply:
Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements
To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Monday 12th May 2025:
A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the
About You section.
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.
Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
Youth Work changes lives
Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it. As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.
We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.
REF-221126
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Community Hub Co-ordinator to lead the development and day-to-day running of our exciting new Community Hub, made possible thanks to five years of National Lottery funding. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a member-led organisation that supports people with a learning disability and autistic people to thrive.
You’ll shape a vibrant, inclusive and accessible community space at the heart of Bexley—one that offers a range of activities, support, and services. The exact shape of the Hub is still to come—because we’re co-creating it with our community. From creative workshops and peer-led support, to potential social enterprises like a community café—your ideas, energy and leadership will help make it happen.
You’ll lead a team that includes staff with learning disabilities or autism, and you’ll work closely with our partners and other charities to open up new opportunities for local people.
This role is ideal for someone who is dynamic, compassionate, and organised—with experience of coordinating projects, working with people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people, and a strong belief in inclusive community-led change.
About Us
Bexley Mencap is a small but growing local charity working exclusively with people with a learning disability and their families. Our vision is a world where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to live life to the full.
We provide support, activities and opportunities for people to thrive. We’re proudly member-led, passionate about inclusion, and committed to creating spaces that feel welcoming and safe for all.
We’ve just secured five years of National Lottery funding to create a brand-new Community Hub in Bexley. This will be a truly shared space—designed with and for our members—where people with a learning disability, autistic people, and the wider community can come together, connect, and grow.
About the role
As Community Hub Co-ordinator, you’ll lead the launch and development of this exciting new space. You’ll manage the day-to-day running of the Hub, support and line-manage a small team (including staff with lived experience of learning disability or autism), and co-design a wide variety of services, events, and partnerships with our members and community.
You’ll also work with other local organisations and charities to expand the support on offer—exploring exciting ideas like social enterprises, creative groups, advice drop-ins or a community café. This is a hands-on role. Some days you’ll be welcoming people and helping with a session, other days you’ll be planning future activities, liaising with partners, or exploring funding ideas. No two days will be the same.
We’re a growing organisation with big ambitions—so this is a great time to join and shape something truly special.
About You
You’re proactive, passionate, and organised. You love bringing people together, creating welcoming spaces, and making things happen.
You’ll have experience of managing community-facing services, working with diverse groups (ideally including people with learning disabilities or autistic people), and leading a team.
You’re happy rolling up your sleeves to get things done—and you’re confident developing new ideas, building partnerships, and planning activities. Being a car driver is a plus (but not essential), and some evening or weekend working may be required. We’re happy to talk about flexible working, part-time options and job shares.
What we offer
We offer a range of benefits including discounts at local shops and restaurants (through a Blue Light Card), training and development opportunities and flexible working. We also offer 22 days holiday plus all English bank holidays, as well as a variety of other leave such as volunteering days and enhanced carers leave.
Person Specification
Our work is underpinned by our values and you will be expected to demonstrate these in your daily work:
Nurturing: You work in a person-centred way supporting every individual to reach their full potential. You empower people to take risks and develop their skills
Approachable: You can communicate with a range of people with differing abilities and maintain a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for the people you support and their families.
Inclusive: You involve people you support in all aspects of services. You are able to communicate effectively with people with a learning disability and adapt your approach where need.
Passionate: You are dedicated to improving the lives of the people that we support. You will professionally challenge where necessary whilst maintain effective working relationships.
Respectful: You treat everybody with compassion, dignity and respect ensuring privacy and confidentiality for the people we support.
You will also be able to demonstrate or tell us about the following areas in your application and at interview:
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential
· Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise a varied workload.
· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to work effectively with a wide range of people including people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
· Ability to coordinate multiple projects or activities, ensuring smooth delivery and follow-up.
· Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, using initiative and sound judgment.
· Confident IT user, including Microsoft 365 (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel), Canva, and database/CRM systems.
· Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and how to implement them in a community setting.
· Good working knowledge of inclusion, accessibility and equality in service delivery.
Desirable
· Understanding of the voluntary and community sector and the opportunities and challenges it faces
· Understanding of the support needs of people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
Experience
Essential
· Proven experience of running or coordinating community-based services, hubs, or similar projects.
· Experience of working directly with people with a learning disability and/or autistic people (in either a paid or voluntary capacity).
· Experience of line managing or supervising staff and/or volunteers, including giving feedback and supporting development.
· Experience of organising and delivering events, activities or workshops.
· Experience of maintaining records and reporting on impact or outcomes.
Desirable
· Experience of working in partnership with other organisations or agencies.
· Experience supporting or delivering social enterprise or community business activity.
Values and Personal Qualities
Essential
· A strong commitment to the rights, inclusion and empowerment of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
· A values-led approach aligned with Bexley Mencap’s ethos: Nurturing, Approachable, Inclusive, Passionate, and Respectful.
· Calm and approachable under pressure, able to adapt to unexpected challenges and find practical solutions.
· Willingness to “muck in” and take a hands-on approach to running the Hub—including setting up rooms, greeting visitors or supporting a group activity.
· Creative, enthusiastic and pro-active—always looking for ways to improve what we offer and how we work.
· Commitment to learning, personal development and continuous improvement.
· Willing to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel locally when required.
Desirable
· Lived experience of disability or of supporting someone with a disability.
· Holds a full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or equivalent ability to travel within the borough).
Registered Charity
11 - 20
To provide support and opportunities to people with a learning disability and their families. We raise awareness and promote community understanding.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.