Policy Research Jobs

About Ataxia UK

Ataxia is the umbrella term for a group of neurological conditions and Ataxia UK is the UK’s leading ataxia support and research charity. Ataxia UK collaborates with the global ataxia community through our Research team, and we are on the board of the international non-profit association, Euro-ataxia. Our Services team focuses on helping everyone affected by ataxia in the UK to live their best life. We have a Helpline and Advocacy service providing information, advice, and 1-2-1 support to help people access their rights; whilst the InControl Community Engagement service provides activities, engagement and volunteering opportunities to bring the ataxia community together and reduce feelings of isolation. 

About the Role  

You will be joining at an exciting time for Ataxia UK as we celebrate our 60th anniversary year.

This brand-new role is an important part of our new strategy to sustainably grow our unrestricted income. Working closely with the Director of Fundraising & Communications and the wider team, the Senior Philanthropy Manager will lead the work to build a pipeline of major donors and family trusts and foundations.

You will be responsible for developing an excellent stewardship programme which nurtures income-generating relationships with Ataxia UK’s major donors. You will initially work with a fixed-term Philanthropy Consultant to lead the development of a researched and actionable pipeline of prospective new donors, and you will then work to successfully engage this pipeline. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a brand-new function as a senior member of an experienced team of fundraisers.

Ataxia UK operates a hybrid- working policy, with part time staff working 3 or 4 days a week expected to work from our offices in Highgate a minimum of 1 day a week. The role will require some occasional travel within the UK and, more rarely, internationally.

About you

The right candidate will be a natural relationship builder with a proven track record of securing high value, long term partnerships with major donors; personally securing 5 and 6-figure gifts.

You will use excellent communication skills to write compelling and tailored cases for support. As a key member of the Fundraising & Communications department, you will bring creativity, insight and experience to the team, and you will be a confident ambassador and representative internally and externally.

As an experienced major donor fundraiser, you will be comfortable and confident engaging with High-Net-Worth Individuals and their offices, celebrities, politicians and c-suite professionals. You will have the flexibility to join events and or meet donors and prospective donors at locations around the UK. As an ambassador of our brand, you will have the skills and experience to ensure you positively represent the interests of the ataxia community, and you will be someone who shares our commitment to supporting those affected by ataxia.

Benefits of working for us.

• 25 days annual leave pro rata (rising to 30 with a length of service)
• Access to a free Employee Assistance Programme & Employee Hotline
• Flexible hybrid working
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity and co-parental leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Training and development opportunities
• Accredited Living Wage Employer

Please see full Job Description for further details including Person Specifications

Do you believe in the power of data to improve people’s lives? Do you want to enable exciting data driven research to take place securely and for the public good? Research Data Scotland needs you!

We have an exciting Maternity Cover opportunity to work in an agile multi-disciplinary project team to support the development of our Researcher Access Service and design content for our web and digital channels. This role works with stakeholders at every level in our organisation and across multiple technical disciplines, as such we are looking to appoint a highly motivated and conscientious individual.   

About the job

The Content Designer will work closely with colleagues across the Digital team to plan, coordinate and lead the development of online content for RDS User Groups. As our services stretch across the Scottish Data eco-system, this will include liaising with suppliers and multiple partners. The role holder will take responsibility for maintaining the accuracy and accessibility of content and using insight from user testing to define and refine information.

You’ll be an important member of our Digital Team and work across the organisation, sharing your expertise with colleagues, as well as independently leading on content delivery activities.

• Plan, co-ordinate and lead the development of online content to provide advice and guidance to RDS’ users (researchers seeking to access secure datasets to conduct research in the public good). 
• Adopt a user-centred approach to content design, employing insight from user testing to define and refine content.
• Take responsibility for ensuring all content remains accurate, up to date, and meets accessibility guidelines. 
• Develop close working relationships with key stakeholders to help define an agreed standard for guidance and training materials.
• Seek opportunities to establish content partnerships with a range of external stakeholders (partner organisations, linked services, education institutions) to co-create digital content and share materials.
• Set, monitor and report on key performance indicators across online platforms using a range of analytics tools.

About you

You are a self-starter, with experience of working with key stakeholders in technical and operational environments. You’ll understand the importance of accuracy and accessibility and maybe have an interest in service design.  You are highly organised and thrive on iterating content from user feedback. You are keen to deliver, with an eye for detail and the pragmatism to understand our context and environment.

• Demonstrable experience of writing for the web and digital channels, with proven ability of creating accessible, user-centred content.
• Proven experience in using data and user feedback to define and refine different types and styles of content.
• Excellent planning skills, ideally with experience of working within an agile, multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Excellent relationship management skills working across and interacting with key stakeholders in technical and operational environments.
• Proficient in a range of relevant software e.g. Microsoft suite, Content management systems.
• Knowledge and/or experience of public sector style and design principles.
• Experience of creating content providing advice and guidance around complex services or process.

About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. 

Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families

About the role

We’re seeking a solicitor to lead the development of a new legal advice service for kinship carers. Joining an established advice team in a growing national charity, this is a new role focussed on delivering specialist legal advice to individuals and changing policy and practice through strategic casework.

Importantly, the postholder will have the opportunity to shape the role to best meet the needs of Kinship and kinship carers.

You’ll be part of a skilled and supportive team who keep kinship carers at the heart of their service.

Our Advice Team supports kinship carers in complex and challenging situations. It can be a tough role at times, so we prioritise adviser wellbeing and are developing a trauma informed approach to our advice work that we’ll be embedding across the service.

The type of person we’re looking for

You will be a 3 year PQE solicitor with strong knowledge of child law, family court processes and related safeguarding legislation. You will have the ability to become a leading expert in kinship care law. You will bring a compassionate and practical approach to supporting kinship carers to navigate legal challenges, access support, and achieve the best outcomes for the children in their care.

You will understand the broader systemic challenges faced by kinship carers, be a strategic thinker and have an interest in service development and policy influencing.

You will need to be resilient and be able to remain calm in difficult situations. You will be firm, sensitive and professional in your approach and will be clear and assertive as you identify key issues and support kinship carers to get their needs met quickly and effectively.

You will understand how important it is that kinship carers feel confident in making their own decisions with the right information and advice so that they can build their own knowledge and confidence rather than dependency.

Key responsibilities include:

· Provide high quality, people centred, specialist legal advice and assistance to kinship carers in England and Wales on kinship care law-related matters.

· Undertake casework and strategic casework.

· Lead the development of Kinship’s legal offer to kinship carers.

· Provide support, resources and training to colleagues in the advice team to support the quality of legal advice.

· Ensure our legal service is compliant with all relevant regulatory requirements.

· Work with our Policy and Campaigns team to identify opportunities for influencing policy and practice through strategic casework, litigation, policy work or campaigning.

· Support colleagues in our Training and Website teams to develop legally accurate content and resources.

Essential knowledge, abilities, skills and experience include:

· A minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience (PQE) in child law, family law, or closely related fields.

· Experience in both private and public law child-related cases.

· Strong knowledge of child law, family court processes, and related safeguarding legislation.

· Ability to provide clear, accurate, and practical legal advice tailored to the individual circumstances of vulnerable people.

· Excellent written skills and research skills.

· Strong organisational skills to prioritise tasks effectively, meet deadlines, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

· Confident in using digital tools, and an ability to learn new tools.

•Strong ethical standards and a passion for supporting vulnerable individuals to obtain access to justice.

(See Job Pack for full job description and person specification)

Kinship are an equal opportunities employer. We warmly welcome applications from appropriately qualified people from all sections of the community and aim to promote diversity. 

What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time) as well as a generous pension scheme. This permanent role is open to flexible working. We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

This is a fantastic time to join a supportive and well-established team within an organisation with rapid growth ambitions. This role will be what you make it and we’re looking for someone to seize this opportunity!

HOW TO APPLY:

Please apply for the role of Kinship Care Legal Lead by sending a CV and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) detailing how you match the requirements for the role. Please use examples to demonstrate your experience.  Please include your notice period / earliest availability to start.

• Application opens: Friday 28 March  
• Application deadline:  Monday 21 April, 10 AM.
• First interview: Online – w/c 5th May 
• Second interview: In person – w/c 12th May

Some tips for your application:

· Make sure you’ve read the job description and the essential requirements – make sure your application reflects those points in the requirements very clearly.

· Tell us why you want to work for Kinship. We’re interested in working with people who share our values. You can read about our values above.

· Keep your response clear – use bullets points and short paragraphs if that helps. It will help the recruitment team to focus on your knowledge, skills and experience.

· Don’t go over 3 pages on your covering letter.

· Please do not use AI tools like ChatGPT to produce your answers. We use software to check, and your application will be rejected if you do.

£50,000 - £52,900 per annum

Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Hybrid working with regular travel to our London Bridge Office

What the job involves

As part of the Strategic Communications, Campaigns and Brand team, you’ll support the Head of Strategic Communications, Campaigns and Branding by directing the Business Partnering team, and developing and embedding our Business Partnering model.

You’ll partner with senior leaders and product owners to act as a supportive enabler of their communications objectives, and ensuring they’re actively engaged in the development of communications strategies, objectives and plans. A major part of the role will be enabling the integration of activity into the wider communications plan to enhance results from our communications.

You’ll guide the planning process for projects and campaigns to build awareness of risk, tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes for all men affected by and at risk of prostate cancer. As part of this role, you’ll also be managing a team of two.

Please note this role is known internally as Senior Communications Business Partner (HSEI & Research).

What we want from you

In this role you’ll be leading a new team of Business Partners and a Communications Planning Manager to ensure Prostate Cancer UK’s communications are well-planned, integrated (where appropriate), and effective. That means you’ll need a strong understanding of high-impact communications business partnering and planning, using an agile, flexible, and fast-paced approach.

You’ll also excel at building trust and connections with community groups, ideally with experience in reaching, engaging, and activating high-risk communities.

Prior experience and knowledge of devising and delivering big multi-channel campaigns – including PR, social media, communications and marketing would be an asset. You’ll be a strategic influencer who understands how positive, coordinated relationship management drives performance alongside an outstanding communicator – who’s confident and good at communicating complex technical information to general audiences.

Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.

Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.

Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

At Prostate Cancer UK we’re committed to righting health inequalities across the UK, starting with those faced by Black men. This includes ground-breaking research into Black men's risk and working with communities directly to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To make this happen, we're dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We’ll achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We're also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our New Ally Ship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identity as an Ally. 

We've also signed Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we're responsible and accountable for driving positive change

Ways of working

Our hybrid working approach combines the best of flexible working – a positive work/life balance, inclusive and accessible platforms, and online information at our fingertips.

Next steps
More information on what we offer, as well as the role, can be found on our vacancies page. Please download our job profile document (job description) with our ‘How to apply’ section sharing the key points to refer to in your application and to apply, please visit the website via the apply button.

The closing date is Sunday 20th April 2025.  Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time.

Interviews: By arrangement. Currently scheduled for the week of Monday 28th April 2025.

Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.

CBRL, the UK’s social sciences and humanities research hub in the region, seeks to appoint a new director. With centres in Amman, Jerusalem and London, CBRL fosters, produces and disseminates original, rigorous and independent research and invests in promising emerging scholars. Our overarching mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of the peoples and cultures of the Levant through scholarship in the humanities and social sciences.

The successful applicant will be a leading scholar with a background in the humanities, social or environmental sciences. They will have an outstanding research profile and demonstrable experience of academic leadership and strong general management ability. They will have a clear vision for building on CBRL’s existing strengths as a research centre and regional hub for scholars of the Levant.

Appointment Term: Initial period of 3 years.

Based: UK or Amman

Status: The post may be on secondment from a UK university or other institution, or otherwise the Director may be employed directly by CBRL. The Director must be able to spend time in the Levant and/or be able to travel freely around the region as well as to/from UK. 

Time commitment: Full time. 20% of salaried time funded by the CBRL will be allowed for development and delivery of personal research 

Responsibilities

Strategy and Performance

Working with CBRL trustees, and in dialogue with the British Academy and other partners:

• Lead a review of CBRL’s strategy.

• Ensure alignment with regional dynamics and evolving geo-political landscapes.

• Put in place a sustainable model for CBRL’s activities, setting ambitions for the next 3 – 5 years.

• Develop and promote high quality, visible UK research projects and research partnerships in and with the region.

• Enhance and increase use of CBRL facilities on the ground

Partnerships

• Cultivate productive relationships with the British Academy, BIRIS and other key stakeholders.

• Expand networks across relevant UK and regional entities to bolster CBRL’s strategic and funding objectives.

• Explore and develop possibilities for collaboration and funding beyond the UK Higher Education sector.

Research

• The Director will be expected to develop a programme of highly quality personal research for which time will be allowed within the role, as agreed with CBRL.

• Support and oversee delivery of a high-quality programme of research activity in the region, including research partnerships, grants, projects and events.

Delivery

• Develop the accessibility and sustainability of CBRL archives.

• Ensure high standards of project management and administrative efficiency.

• Develop the communication and dissemination of CBRL’s work.

People

• Manage the CBRL staff team to deliver on key priorities, creating a culture of ambition, collaboration and shared values.

• Ensure optimal organisational structure.

• Make sure HR policies and procedures are up-to-date and well-applied.

Finance and Resources

• Develop and implement strategies for sustainable income generation across a range of sources

• Exercise oversight of budgets, resource allocation and reporting

• Oversee financial proposals and reports to BA and other funders

• Make sure facilities are well-managed and secure

Governance 

• Report regularly to the Chair of Trustees, keeping them informed of progress against objectives

• Collaborate in setting agendas for and report to trustee Board meetings and the AGM

• Ensure compliance with CBRL’s constitution and regulatory requirements

Person specification:

Essential:

• Outstanding record of research and publication in the humanities, social or environmental sciences, in one of the disciplines supported by the CBRL.

• Knowledge and experience of the UK higher education and research sector.

• Appreciation of the CBRL’s mission

• Demonstrable ability to provide academic and management leadership across a range of disciplines

• Strategic vision and demonstrable ability to lead in the development and delivery of a strategic plan.

• Ability to develop plans and set and monitor objectives • A consultative and inclusive approach to management, combined with ability to make executive decisions

• Commitment to transparency and to equality, diversity and inclusion.

• Clarity and effectiveness in communications

• Significant experience in managing change.

• Strong interpersonal skills conducive to effective engagement and management across diverse environments and contexts.

• A proven ability to communicate well across cultures.

• Willingness to learn Arabic if not already an Arabic speaker.

Highly desirable:

• Working knowledge and ability to speak Arabic or other regional language.

• Demonstrable knowledge of accounting, financial and personnel procedures

• Experience of external fundraising

• Experience of managing large grants

Please read the attached job description for more details and terms of appointment.

Job Title - Office Administrator

Contract - Permanent

Hours - 35 hours per week

Salary - £25,207- £27,000 per annum, depending on experience

Location - Coram Campus, London

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) is the UK’s specialist centre for children’s rights championing access to justice through information and advice, legal practice and representation, policy and strategic litigation.  Our Legal Practice Unit provides advice and representation in child and family law, education law, community care law and asylum and immigration law.  Our Migrant Children’s Project delivers outreach advice, second tier advice, policy and research work.

Part of Coram’s growing Children’s Rights Centre, CCLC is co-located with Coram Voice, the specialist provider of advocacy services for young people in and leaving the care system, in the new Queen Elizabeth II Centre at the heart of our historic campus in Bloomsbury.

About the role

We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, multi-skilled administrator to assist our busy teams in London.

The Legal Administrator will provide a range of essential office-based administrative support for the Legal Practice Unit and Migrant Children’s Project, the majority of whom are currently working in a hybrid pattern.  The priorities will be general administrative support: processing incoming and outgoing post, opening and closing files for clients; assistance with preparing court bundles; assistance with CCLC’s reception telephone line; communicating with internal and external departments; and assisting with any other legal or administrative tasks which may arise in order to fully support the team may also be required.

This is a great opportunity for an excellent administrator looking for a role in the charity sector and the prospect of developing a career in operations and business support.

The role would suit an organised and efficient individual with strong IT skills.  Whilst full training will be provided and support and supervision will be available, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate the ability to work independently and show initiative and problem solving skills. 

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing date: 9am Tuesday 22nd April 2025. (We reserve the right to extend this deadline or close applications early if necessary)

Interview date:  Week commencing 28th April 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to take part in a short written test before interview.

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

The National Lottery Promotions Unit (NLPU) raises positive public awareness of National Lottery brand and the funding which changes the lives of ordinary people through the £30 million it raises every week for good causes all across the UK. National Lottery players help build local communities, power sports teams, protect the environment, unleash creative talent, look after the elderly and unlock youthful potential. In addition, support from the National Lottery wins Olympic medals and Oscars.  

To support these efforts in our 30th year, the National Lottery Promotions Unit Public Affairs lead will play a key role in managing external relationships with key parliamentarians, and representative bodies. You will bring a network of key contacts to promote and support the importance of the National Lottery to people and communities throughout the UK. With a good understanding of the work of the DCMS and of ministers and MPs, you will also play a key role in presenting the National Lottery in an effective and impactful way and manage the delivery of the revised National Lottery government relations strategy. A skilled communicator, you will be across the evolving the lottery landscape and effectively promote the best interests and positive impact of The National Lottery.

This role is a 12 month fixed term contract, working full time, 37 hours a week, based in London alongside the wider NLPU Team. 

You will have the support of your Director, NLPU team and colleagues from across the whole National Lottery family.   With a UK-wide remit you will need to be proactive in engaging with multiple teams/senior stakeholders across the twelve National Lottery distributors, the operator, the DCMS and the Gambling Commission.

Interview Date: 23rd April

Location: London, office is Kings Cross – hybrid flexible working

Essential Criteria

• Excellent understanding of public affairs, influencing and advocacy. 
• A sound understanding of how national, regional and local politicians think, what motivates them and how to engage in influencing them.
• A strong grasp of the policy environment, developing issues and themes 
• Insightful policy analysis skills and the ability to respond to political requests
• Ability to coordinate systems and processes and develop effective working relationships to enable collaboration across the National Lottery family, for example in relation to managing stakeholders 
• Parliamentary and legislative knowledge 
• Excellent skills in commissioning research and analysis 
• Strong project management skills 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE 

We have worked in partnership with the Young Roots charity for the last five years providing a service to young, unaccompanied asylum seekers aged between 16 and 25 and we are looking for a Senior Clinical Psychologist to manage and support this work.

As a Senior Clinical Psychologist within the Young Roots psychology service, you will report to a Senior Clinical Psychologist at HBF/Head of Therapies and manage the clinical services of the Young Roots Partnership.

This role will include management of the overall partnership project, delivery of highly specialised psychological assessments for both medico-legal and clinical purposes, provision of appropriate evidence-based therapies, delivery of clinical supervision to qualified clinicians, assistant and trainee clinical psychologists on final year specialist placements, and non-clinical members of staff. The role will also include input into policy, research and fundraising and delivery of consultancy and training.

We are looking for someone who is committed to working therapeutically with young people who experienced human rights abuses and post-migration stressors and present with trauma spectrum disorders, depression, and anxiety as a result. In addition to proven experience in working therapeutically with this client group, the candidate will have a passion for human rights work beyond the individual client work, and a desire to contribute to effecting change at a policy level.  This role requires the ability to react and respond creatively and appropriately to the needs of the charity.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of senior clinicians at the Helen Bamber Foundation, work independently to ensure the delivery of a range of evidence based psychological therapies to clients.

· Provide specialist psychological assessments and deliver trauma-focused psychological therapies to clients of the Helen Bamber Foundation.

· Train in the preparation of medico-legal reports and where relevant, contribute to the preparation of these reports for clients.

· Develop and carry out audits and research projects.

· Provide internal and external training in collaboration with your line manager.

· Supervise junior staff. This may include newly qualified psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists, assistant psychologists, and research assistants.

· Provide supervisory support for non-clinical staff where needed.

· Liaise with other non-statutory and statutory organisations on matters of clinical care, safeguarding and policy.

· Monitor the effectiveness of the interventions provided and provide feedback to funding bodies in the form of data and reports.

· Promote the work of the Helen Bamber Foundation at conferences and other events.

Graduate Internship Programme 

The Commonwealth Foundation is recruiting for its Graduate Internship Programme. We are seeking four Interns for six-month placements across different areas of the Foundation.  

To be considered, all applicants must have an existing right to work in the United Kingdom and must be able to provide evidence of that right in their application. 

Who we are 

The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation established by Member States in support of the belief that the Commonwealth is as much an association of peoples as it is of governments. We are the Commonwealth agency for civil society; an organisation dedicated to strengthening people’s participation in all aspects of public dialogue, so they can act together and learn from each other to build democratic societies. 

Our vision is of a Commonwealth of equal, just and inclusive societies. Our mission is to contribute to that vision by: 

• Supporting the active and constructive participation of Commonwealth citizens in all aspects of their governance 

• Nurturing the growth of vibrant and free civil societies in all Commonwealth countries 

• Advancing the principles and ideals of the Commonwealth 

We work in accordance with our values to advance the principles and ideals of the Commonwealth as enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter.

The role 

Our Graduate Internship Programme provides opportunities for recent graduates to participate in all aspects of the Commonwealth Foundation and gain experience, strengthen their knowledge and develop their skills. 

We maintain a team of interns who are recruited together for a six-month period, which may be extended to a maximum of 12 months depending on performance and the needs of the Foundation. Our interns are fully integrated into the Foundation’s staff structure, and we pay close attention to their professional development. 

The successful candidates will be allocated to one of the following areas of our work: 

• Commonwealth Civil Society (home of our major grants work) 

• Advocacy & Creative Programme (home of our cultural initiatives including adda and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, outreach, advocacy, the Critical Conversations events series, and delivery of the Commonwealth People’s Forum)  

• Communications (working across the Foundation as part of the Knowledge, Learning & Communications team) 

Responsibilities are tailored to the needs of each team and the intern’s own areas of skill and interest. For more information on our programmes and our work, see our current Strategic Plan, available on our website. 

Although interns will be based in one of the above programmes, we are a small team, and so interns may have the opportunity to experience other areas of the Foundation’s work and to also collaborate with their fellow interns on specific projects. 

Our responsibility to Interns 

We prioritise the professional development of our interns, encouraging participation in both internal and external learning opportunities and experience across programme areas to broaden knowledge and skills. 

We include our interns in all our activities including strategic and work planning and staff events, and endeavour to ensure that everyone feels nurtured and valued. 

Who we are looking for 

The Foundation strives to be a welcoming and inclusive place to work. We aim to ensure that the Graduate Internship programme is as accessible as possible to people from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.

You will have excellent research and administrative skills and ideally have a good knowledge of, or interest in, at least one area of our work: freedom of expression, climate justice or health justice.  Experience using technology is important, and knowledge of Microsoft Office and online platforms is required. 

We are looking for people who are curious and willing to learn and who will actively promote the values and principles of the Commonwealth and the Foundation. 

You must possess and declare at the time of application the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship. The Foundation cannot assist in altering the visa status of any applicant. 

What we offer 

We offer interns a salary of £2,100 per month (equivalent to £25,200 per annum) for a six-month fixed term internship contract.  Annual leave is calculated at 30 days per year (pro-rata) inclusive of public holidays and the Foundation’s own designated leave days. 

We are currently operating a flexible working policy which requires all staff including interns to work from our central London office at least five days per fortnight including every Wednesday. Applicants must be able to affirm their capacity and willingness to work within our policy. 

There is no expectation of a role with the Foundation at the end of the internship, although interns are welcome to apply for any roles advertised externally. 

Our commitment 

The Commonwealth Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that the diverse voices of the Commonwealth are fully represented in our workforce, driving innovation, creativity, and meaningful impact in all that we do. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join us in our mission to create a more equitable and inclusive world. 

If you need us to make any special accommodation in the recruitment and selection process because of a protected characteristic, please let us know. 

The process 

Applications should be submitted online via our website, please also refer to the downloadable role description available on the website. 

Please note, the application requires you to provide evidence of your existing right to work in the UK, and the Intern must have existing right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship in order to apply for this position. The Foundation cannot assist in altering the visa status of any applicant. 

Closing date: 

The closing date for applications is Monday, 14 April 2025, 1pm BST. However, we will monitor the number of applications received and reserve the right to close the application window early or extend the closing date as necessary. We recommend submitting applications as early as possible.  

Interviews dates:

Please note updated information: 12, 13, 14 May 2025, in person (to be confirmed)

Internship start date: 

Monday 30 June 2025  

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 

Monday 14 April 2025, 1.00pm BST  
 
(We may stop accepting applications shortly before this date, depending on the volume of applications received.) 

FACE TO FACE FUNDRAISER

Location: You be working in shopping centres, train stations and other locations throughout London and surrounding areas (ideally, candidates should be based within London or the surrounding area)

Salary: £25,000 - 28,000+ (including paid travel when working out of London)

Hours: 35 per week

Contract: Permanent

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

Kick off your new career by beginning your journey into fundraising and joining CRUK as a field-based Face to Face Fundraiser. You will be inspiring the public to become regular financial supporters of Cancer Research UK.

Cancer Research UK is the worlds leading cancer charity. They are committed to 3 in 4 survival rate by 2034 . Their Face to Face Fundraising team bring in around 10 million pounds for the charity each year, so this is your chance to really make a difference.

We are looking for candidates who love interacting and engaging with members of the public on a daily bases. You will be self-motivated, passionate and enjoy using words to persuade and inspire.

It’s a fun working environment where you can work in London and the South East to support one of the UKs most trusted brands. There is lots more too; 25 days holiday + flexible bank holidays , sick pay and lots of development opportunities.

What will I be doing?

• Engaging with the public at stands in shopping centres and inspiring them to make regular donations via Direct Debit
• Working as part of a team of fundraising experts
• Sharing engaging and inspiring stories regarding Cancer Research UK progress and goals
• Being responsible for setting up your stand and working environment in private site venues
• Representing CRUK with the highest level of professionalism, treating the public fairly and with respect

What skills will I need?

• Excellent communication skills and customer experience with confidence in speaking to the public
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport quickly and influence others
• An ability to work under pressure
• Experience of delivering and achieving targets in a customer-related environment or similar
• Strong resilience to handle negative objections.

Cancer Research UK organisation values are designed to guide all that they do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism   

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

Cancer Research UK are looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against their mission to beat cancer.

What will I gain?

Each and every one of Cancer Research UKs employees contributes to their mission to beat cancer. In return, they create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Their policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

Interview Process: Apply online now! If you are selected for interview we will invite you to a recruitment day at Cancer Research UKs head office in Stratford E20 1JQ on 14th March 2025 10:00 - 15:00 so you will need to be available on that day. You'll meet the team, hear more about the role, there will then be a short task and interview.

How do I apply?

Please apply through Indeed with an up to date CV.

For more updates on CRUKs work and careers, follow them on: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.

There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Their vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work they do. They are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. 

They actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help them to beat cancer sooner. 

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

As the Practitioner Psychologist/Psychotherapist delivering the partnership with the British Red Cross you will be based in two BRC Refugee Support services in Leicester and Derby whilst remaining part of the Helen Bamber Foundation Team. You will be responsible, with support from the senior Helen Bamber Foundation clinical team, for delivering assessments of individuals referred by the BRC Senior Psychosocial Practitioner. You will support effective referrals into local mental health services, and, where treatment cannot be provided elsewhere and would have significant benefits, deliver a range of therapeutic interventions to a small number of BRC clients. You will provide and support outreach and training of local health care providers to increase their capacity to support trauma survivors.

This role will include delivery of highly specialised psychological assessments for both medico-legal and clinical purposes, provision of appropriate evidence-based therapies, delivery of training to local mental health providers as well as to staff from non-clinical backgrounds who have significant client contact, internal relationship and partnership building, monitoring of outcomes, and potentially the supervision of a trainee clinical psychologist on a final year specialist placement. The role will include input into partnership development, policy, research and fundraising.

We are looking for someone who is committed to working therapeutically with individuals who have experienced human rights abuses and who have developed trauma spectrum disorders as a result. In addition to proven experience in working therapeutically with this client group, the candidate will have a passion for human rights work beyond the individual client work, and a desire to contribute to effecting change at a policy level. This role requires the ability to react and respond creatively and appropriately to the needs of the service and the partnership. You will be required to travel to London occasionally to participate in meetings, professional development and other activities (this travel will be reimbursed).

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provide specialist psychological assessments and deliver psychological therapies to clients of the BRC Refugee Support services in Leicester and Derby (and where approved other services in the East Midlands);

· Contribute to the monitoring of activity and outcomes from the partnership;

· Work closely with the BRC Senior Psychosocial Practitioner to develop training and outreach for the local mental health providers and where appropriate the BRC Refugee Support service teams;

· Train in the preparation of medico-legal reports and contribute to the preparation of these reports for clients of the East Midlands BRC Refugee Support services;

· Develop and carry out audits and research projects relevant to the Helen Bamber Foundation or the partnership (in collaboration with the BRC Senior Psychological Practitioner and the Director of Therapy and Executive Director of Clinical and Counter-Trafficking);

· Provide internal and external training in collaboration with the HBF clinical management team;

· Supervise junior staff; and

· Liaise with other non-statutory and statutory organisations on matters of clinical care and policy.

· Where applicable, contribute to policy and position statements with other members of the Helen Bamber Foundation and the British Red Cross and represent the partnership at conferences and other events.

Over the last 3 and a half years the Learning and Development team have built a solid environment to enable our employees to develop their skills, knowledge and experience, add value and drive organisational performance. This development is key to the success of Alzheimer’s Research UK, and we are looking for a dynamic trainer/facilitator or join the L&D team to cover a period of Maternity leave.

The Learning and Development Trainer/Specialist plays a critical role in designing and delivering a broad range of learning and development programmes and catalogue of courses which support and enable individuals. We deliver a wide range of training from Masterclasses, EDI, Values and Culture, Psychometric profiling and Leadership and Development programmes and this is where you will spend approximately 80% of your time. Most of this training is delivered face to face at our offices in Abington Cambridge.

Responsible for the delivery and evaluation of facilitated classroom-based and virtual learning training, this role will help to create an environment of continuous learning and provide opportunities for individual and team development. This role will work closely with the Learning and Development Co-ordinator and will liaise with training venues, manage bookings, and oversee internal data to evaluate training requirements.

As part of the wider HR Team, the Learning and Development Trainer/Specialist will also work effectively as an integral part to the team by providing input and support into the organisational wide initiatives and projects. In addition, the Learning and Development Trainer/Specialist will proactively contribute to the development of policy, processes and procedures, along with providing comprehensive guidance and support across the charity. 

If you are passionate about learning, are a credible trainer, have high energy and are motivated working on lots of different projects for one of the best charities in the UK, then we want to hear from you.

This is a 12-month fixed term contract, or on return of the substantive post holder, to cover a period of maternity leave. 

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

· Work alongside internal stakeholders to deliver and embed a bespoke Leadership Development Programme, Management Development Programme and various Masterclasses which enables employees to build on their skills, knowledge and capabilities and enhances performance at an individual, team and organisational level.

· Continue to review, evaluate and build upon the L&D programmes offered, identifying and making recommendations to the Head of Learning & Development to ensure the content remains current and aligned to the strategic direction and business needs.

· Provide support in identifying strengths and opportunities to further develop the skills, knowledge and capabilities of individuals and teams.  Make recommendations to the Head of Learning & Development which are evidence-based and underpin both the Learning & Development and Organisational strategies.

· Foster and develop an embedded culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Training - Design & Delivery:

· Create and deliver up to date, engaging and professional training content.

· Facilitate and deliver a variety of training programmes to new and existing employees, through face-to-face, hybrid (blended) and virtual learning.

· Create and build resources that support our current learning catalogue.

· Create, build and manage LinkedIn learning content to support all L&D initiatives.

· Research training delivery options and resources including digital / online and hybrid (blended) solutions.

· Present learning solutions, logically and with credibility and authenticity, to gain buy-in from stakeholders.

· Confidently engage with learners of varying abilities, using a broad range of training methodologies and questioning techniques.

· Provide support with a learner’s progress by delivering motivational and developmental feedback.

· Manage participation and ensure learning objectives for each training session is achieved.

· Use effective coaching skills to encourage learners to define their personal development plans and achieve their learning objectives.

Training - Course Administration:

· Work with a variety of internal stakeholders to plan and prepare the implementation of any L&D  programmes/courses, including advertising courses and dates, monitoring bookings and taking a proactive approach to increase attendance numbers when they are low.

· Complete evaluation mechanisms for learning outcomes including the use of quantitative and qualitative feedback where appropriate.

· Working closely with the L&D coordinator and Head of L&D to collate and analyse data from L&D programmes, courses and initiatives, producing reports for key stakeholders, when requested.

· Measure and assess all L&D programmes and courses for their effectiveness and business relevance and continually seek ways to improve learning solutions.

· As and when required, provide support to the L&D Co-ordinator with the administration of training courses, including diary management and database management.

What we are looking for:

· Learning & Development qualification or experience of working within a Learning & Development environment.

· Demonstrable experience in delivery and facilitating a wide range of learning and development initiatives at all levels.

· Experience of developing and implementing training programmes/workshops (including designing a variety of learning materials).

· Experience of delivering in-person and virtual training to a variety of stakeholders with different learning styles and levels of understanding.

· Experience of working with internal and external customers, stakeholders and suppliers.

· Excellent communicator, with an ability to build relationships and inspire confidence and respect at all levels.  Demonstrates strong negotiation, influencing and decision-making skills.

· Excellent listening skills, receptive to feedback and demonstrates flexibility, curiosity and an ability to learn.

· Excellent planning and organisational skills, with an ability to work to deadlines and reprioritise work in accordance with the organisational needs.

· Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

· Credible, authentic and confident presenter and facilitator, with an ability to deliver engaging learning at all levels and adapt style to suit the audience.

· Demonstrates a proactive and pragmatic approach and identifies ways to deliver creative and innovative solutions.

· Strong attention to detail with an ability to remain calm under pressure.

· Strong ethical standards and a high level of personal integrity.

· Excellent IT skills in PowerPoint, Word and Excel.

· Flexibility and willingness to travel to deliver training on site as well as offsite when required.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £40,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 13th April 2025, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

· 18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

· 10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

· 2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK

Justlife’s Vision

Making people's experience of temporary accommodation be short, safe and healthy.

About this role

We are looking for a motivated individual with an understanding of homelessness to fulfil this exciting role gathering people, exploring challenges and considering solutions related to temporary accommodation (TA).  The role will be responsible for pioneering, supporting and facilitating the delivery of a number of Temporary Accommodation Action Groups (TAAGs), primarily in the North West, that feed into national discussions and policy recommendations through Justlife’s campaigning work. Could this be you?

You will be comfortable leading cross-sector meetings and navigating conflicting priorities to move towards change. You will also be enthusiastic to represent an organisation which puts people with lived experience at the heart of everything they do. You will be a self-starter with great communications skills and a dedication to supporting people with current or lived experience to engage in the change making process.

We currently run TAAGs in London, Bristol, Brighton and across Sussex but this work is new to the North West. You will need to be a strong networker with lots of initiative. You will be able to sell the benefits of TAAGs to participants, and with the persistence to see through the establishment of these groups. The role requires a flexible, pro-active and open approach to work, working within Justlife’s values - People before Programmes, Collaboration before Competition and Innovation before Institutions.

We strongly believe in the power of collaborative working, and you will be joining a small team of network development workers working across the country. We are currently growing this team in order to not just increase the amount of network work we can do, but also with the aim of offering more support, share best practice and help make this change happen on a wider scale.

This role will be based out of our Manchester office (minimum 2 days per week in office) but will also require regular travel, including some national travel and occasional overnight stays.

Why do we exist

Justlife is in existence because we know thousands of people struggle to manage in poor and unsuitable temporary accommodation. Their stay isn’t temporary, they are likely to be suffering with deteriorating mental and physical health, becoming victims of crime, losing control of their life and even dying prematurely. We are working towards making their stays as short, safe and healthy as possible.

How do we operate?

Our values guide our work and are very important to us:

• Collaboration before competition
• People before programmes
• Innovation before Institutions

What do we do?

Justlife delivers impactful services in Greater Manchester and Brighton & Hove, supporting and empowering people experiencing homelessness in temporary accommodation. We also drive positive system change across the national temporary accommodation sector, convening those with a common interest; people with lived experience, landlords, charities, local and national government, and carrying out research and gathering insights.

We aim to grow our impact and reach, supporting more people in temporary accommodation and to build a movement that brings about lasting positive change.

Why work for us?

Here at Justlife, we're committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to be an organisation that's representative of the communities we serve, which is why we strive for diversity of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective.

Perks of working at Justlife

• Great holiday package! Starting at 27 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays (increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 30 days after 10 years’ service)
• Additional 5 days annual leave purchase scheme through salary sacrifice
• Enhanced pension contribution scheme, 5% Justlife contribution (correct at time of print)
• Cycle to work scheme
• 2 Volunteering days per year

Employment Terms and Conditions

Job Title: Network Development Worker

Hours: Full time, but open to part-time hours for the right candidate

Contract Type/Term: Permanent

Normal hrs. to be worked: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Location: Manchester - minimum 2 days per week in the office. This role will also require regular travel, including some national travel and occasional overnight stays.

Salary: £29,894

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Wednesday 23rd April.

Application Process
To apply, please upload a covering letter addressing how you meet the person specification, together with an up to date CV.

In-person interviews are planned to take place in Manchester on either Wednesday 30th April or Thursday 1st May.

You will receive an automated email receipt of your submitted forms. If you do not hear from us by the end of Friday 26th April, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Unfortunately we are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful shortlisting.

Job Summary

The Justlife Network Development Worker will have a desire to see systemic change for individuals and families experiencing temporary accommodation (TA) across the north and a commitment to doing so with the voice of lived experience at its heart. The TA situation across the country is acute and it is increasingly being recognised as the central issue of the housing crisis.

This role will involve working in partnership with local authorities, charities, accommodation providers and people who live in TA or have lived experience, to support and run a number of Temporary Accommodation Action Groups (TAAGs). While Justlife works in Manchester and has some existing work to build upon in Manchester, this role will be pro-actively involved in starting a TAAG in Manchester, as well as in other locations in the North-West. This role may also support and facilitate some or all the work of the Bristol TAAG. Over the contract period, the post holder will support TAAGs to test proposed solutions to local challenges of TA, continuity plan beyond Justlife’s support, and gather impact learning.

This will include coming alongside local organisations working with people in TA, building their connections and capacity to bring about change in the sector. The role will convene regular steering group meetings bringing partners together to share learning across the TAAGs and enabling the them to feed into national discussions and policy recommendations through Justlife’s campaigning work including the Households in Temporary Accommodation All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and our Alliance.

The role will amplify the voices of those with lived experience of TA connecting them with others and enabling them to advocate, lobby and influence for meaningful change, positively impacting the circumstances of those living in TA, both in the areas where running TAAGs and nationally. This will be carried out working alongside existing lived experience forums providing a safe method of engagement, to actively promote the involvement of those with lived experience.

The role will gather good practice examples from the groups and the wider TA sector, monitor and evaluate the groups, report on their effectiveness and support continued learning within Justlife. Working alongside the wider Justlife team the role will consider solutions to the issues faced in TA that can be tested by Justlife or partner organisations.

This post is a fixed term contract, however Justlife is committed to the continued development of this work beyond June 2026, resource dependent.

The role will include:

• Work within the network and TAAGs team to support the existing work of TAAGs, including possibly taking on a leadership/facilitation role in Bristol.
• Explore the possibility for new TAAGs across the North West and get new TAAG groups started.
• Supporting TAAGs to work with existing lived experience forums locally in order to ensure effective and safe lived experience engagement in the TAAGs.
• Developing learning around TA and building potential solutions through issues raised.

Responsible to: Head of Research, Policy & Communications

Responsible for: No direct reports

Role Description

Key Responsibilities

• Working in partnership with local authorities, charities, accommodation providers and people who live in TA or have lived experience of TA, to support and facilitate a number of TAAGs to thrive and achieve their aims.
• Supporting TAAGs to work alongside existing lived experience forums in order to ensure effective and safe lived experience engagement
• Convening and supporting regular steering group meetings bringing partners together to share learning across the TAAGs and enabling the TAAGs to feed into national discussions and policy recommendations through Justlife’s campaigning work including the Households in Temporary Accommodation All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and our Alliance.
• Proactively engaging with local organisations working with people in TA, strengthening their voice, building their connections and capacity to bring about change in the sector.
• Gathering good practice models and developing potential solutions with partners to issues relating to TA that can be tested by Justlife frontline services and partner organisations.
• Being part of Justlife’s Research, Policy & Communications team, attending weekly virtual team meetings, contributing to reports, presentations and communications to share learning.
• Contribute to the TAAGs team to support other Network Development Workers and share learning and best practice.
• Being part of and contributing to the Justlife team, attending meetings as appropriate and to be involved in appropriate staff development and training and be committed to team events

This hybrid role will be based in Manchester, where we would ask you to work out of Justlife offices at least two days a week. It will require regular travel, including some national travel and occasional overnight stays.

This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in light of the changing needs of Justlife. It is expected that the post holder will be as positive and flexible as possible in using this document as a framework, and in performing other duties commensurate with these responsibilities, the band of the post and skills and qualification of the post-holder.

Person Specification

Experience & Knowledge

• Experience of engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders in a variety of environments and across sectors
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary environments where competing priorities are represented
• Experience of working/volunteering with, or research involving, people facing multiple disadvantage (such as those experiencing homelessness)
• Desirable: Experience of initiating networked approaches to working or pioneering innovative work that works in partnership with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Understanding of systems thinking approaches, including systems mapping and stakeholder analysis
• Understanding of co-production and other user lived experience engagement models

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, influence and communicate effectively with a range of people
• Ability to Interpret and analyse data to make convincing arguments and capture people’s interest
• Group Facilitation skills
• IT skills (Office suite, online cloud-based tools)
• Flexibility, adaptability and an ability to think creatively
• Excellent communication skills, verbally and written, including ability to write content and engage in social media

Personal attributes

• A strong commitment to drive change for people living in TA
• Commitment to diversity and anti-oppressive practice in all areas of work
• Self-motivation, able to prioritise workload and operate without close guidance from a manager
• Willingness to travel across North-West and, from time to time, further afield.
• Commitment to the values of Justlife:
  • Collaboration before competition
  • People before programmes
  • Innovation before Institution

Smoking is the largest preventable cause of death and disease in the UK and accounts for half the difference in life expectancy between the richest and poorest in society. In 2025, the Government will bring in landmark new laws, making the UK the first country in the world to phase out the sale of tobacco to future generations. We are looking for a proactive communicator and storyteller to join our ambitious and supportive team at a critical time to influence the political direction and wider narrative on tobacco and vaping in Westminster, the NHS and local government.

ASH has recently agreed a new five-year strategy and effective and impactful communications is a critical part of achieving our influencing goals. The Communications Lead will be responsible for our digital and social channels, developing compelling content and copy, as well as managing our media presence and working with journalists to secure coverage of our messages, research and reports.  There’s no such thing as a typical day: you could be involved in everything from creating a social post to explain the implications of a new policy, advising the team on new content ideas for the website, liaising with a national newspaper to comment on breaking news or managing the design of a key report for policymakers.

About the candidate

We encourage individuals to apply even if they don't meet every single criteria listed below, as we value potential, proactivity, transferable skills, and a strong desire to learn and contribute to our mission.

1. Previous experience in a focused communications role managing digital, social and media relations. This could be in an agency, NGO, government department or in-house.

2. Experience of developing strategic communications and developing new ideas and approaches based on insights or evidence.

3. Experience of working with journalists and core understanding of how the media works and what makes a good story.

4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to express complicated messages simply and with authority.

5. Experience and understanding of web publishing tools (e.g. WordPress, Craft, Drupal) for content creation and editing

6. Proven ability and experience with building and maintain professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including journalists, partner organisations, contractors and health professionals.

7. A good level of software expertise, including MS Office packages and web-based platforms. Knowledge and experience of Adobe Creative Suite and Canva an advantage.

8. A flexible approach to working and a willingness to support colleagues across the organisation

9. Strong organisational skills – including excellent record keeping, and an ability to independently manage workload and work to deadlines, while responding to current events.

10.  Enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the aims and objectives of ASH and an interest in public health more broadly. Understanding of policy influencing and government relations would be an advantage, but not essential.

Interviews

Interviews will be held at our office in Vauxhall on 7th May. If cost is a barrier to attending a London-based interview, please let us know and we can help with booking your travel. Please let us know if you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments for the application or interview. We really want our process to feel accessible.

At ASH we are committed to ensuring our staff are representative of the diverse world around us and therefore we encourage candidates with a range of lived and professional experiences to apply. We particularly welcome applications from people of colour, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people. We will use positive action under the Equality Act 2010 to appoint from these underrepresented groups if two candidates are equally qualified.

Application Details

Please submit your CV and a covering letter via Charity Jobs.