Policy Specialist Jobs in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Are you looking for a role where you can shape the future of business systems and processes? Do you enjoy working with teams to improve ways of working and support digital transformation?

As a Business Analyst, you will work closely with stakeholders across the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association to review current workflows, identify areas for improvement, and support the transition to modern, cloud-based solutions. You will be instrumental in ensuring that processes align with organisational goals and system capabilities. This brand-new role will focus on supporting our Grants Management team as they transition to new ways of working, supported by an upgrade to our grants management system. This has the potential to transform the delivery of our circa £10m research grant portfolio, a key part of our strategic vision of a world free from Motor Neurone Disease.

Key Responsibilities:

In this role, you will collaborate with teams to improve business processes and support system upgrades. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting process mapping to document existing workflows and identify areas for optimisation.
• Working with stakeholders to refine processes in line with best practices and technology capabilities.
• Engage with teams to understand and document functional and non-functional requirements.
• Facilitating workshops and meetings to review and challenge current ways of working.
• Translating business needs into specifications for technology teams and vendors.
• Supporting the planning and execution of system migrations.
• Assisting with data migration strategies, ensuring data integrity and security.
• Evaluating current business systems and recommending enhancements or replacements.
• Collaborating with teams to ensure a smooth transition to new systems.
• Contributing to training and documentation to ensure successful adoption of new processes.

About You:

An experienced Business Analyst who thrives in a role where you can drive change and improve processes. You are comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities. You bring:

• Proven experience as a Business Analyst, ideally with exposure to not-for-profit, academic or medical research organisations.
• Strong expertise in process mapping, business process re-engineering, and requirements gathering.
• Experience in system migrations to modern cloud-based platforms.
• Familiarity with Microsoft platforms, such as Dynamics, Power Platform, and Azure DevOps.
• Knowledge of charity systems, particularly grant management and funding processes.
• Understanding of data migration, integration, and system implementation projects.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and communication skills.
• A proactive approach to creating new processes and working with ambiguity.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, including lean and agile approaches.
• A product-based mindset to streamline and enhance business functions.

About Us:

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

What We Offer:

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Opportunities for training and personal development.
• Hybrid working.

The full job description is available in the candidate pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role can be office-based or remote with the expectation to travel to our Northampton office 2 days per month on average, with occasional travel to our London office.We are open to part-time applications or job shares - please indicate your preferred working arrangement in your application.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.

• Strong expertise in process mapping, business process re-engineering, and requirements gathering.
• Experience in system migrations to modern cloud-based platforms.
• Experience in the Microsoft suite of platforms, ideally including Dynamics, Power Platforms, Azure Dev Ops

Important Information:

• We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
• If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
• Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
• If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.
• We are happy to consider alternative application formats for those who find the online form challenging.

As an experienced Executive Assistant at the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, you will play a pivotal role in driving the efficiency and impact of our Executive Leadership Team. We are seeking an accomplished EA who thrives in high-level executive support, with a proven track record of delivering exceptional administrative, operational, and strategic assistance at the Director level.

In this role, you will provide seamless, proactive, and high-calibre support, ensuring our directors can focus on delivering the Association's mission and objectives. You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, anticipating needs, managing competing priorities, and representing our Directors with professionalism and discretion.

This role requires exceptional organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills, alongside the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced and evolving environment. As part of our newly formed Executive Leadership Team, we need a highly capable, energetic, and strategic-thinking EA to help the MND Association reach our full potential to support the MND community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing Directors diaries, prioritising meetings, maintain action logs, track key deadlines, and support effective work planning. making effective decisions without director's input.

• Manage and respond to correspondence on behalf of the Directors, ensuring timely and appropriate communication.

• Co-ordinate and provide full administrative support for Board, Trustees and Committee meetings, including agenda preparation, taking minutes/action points as agreed, monitoring and following up on agreed actions prior to the next scheduled meeting.

• To lead on the collation, analysis, drafting and formatting of regular reports, dashboards and management information related to directorate and strategic performance.

• Ensuring that Heads of Department and other contributors are aware of, and meet, all deadlines.

• Manage supplier contracts, ensuring cost-effective procurement of services, processing of invoices.

• Working in unison with other Executive Assistants ensuring support across the team of Directors at times of holiday and any other absence.

• Ensuring that Directors are prepared and best able to represent the Association when attending external meetings and other events, managing all travel and other logistical arrangements.

About You:

• Proven experience in high-level administration, at Director and/or Board level.

• Significant experience supporting a senior executive as an Executive Assistant.

• Highly organised with strong self-management skills and the ability to work on own initiative to prioritise own workload to meet deadlines

• Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders and the ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Ability to adapt positively to change, highly resourceful, self-motivated, with strong emotional intelligence and a positive and proactive approach to work.

• Proven experience of working in a confidential environment and with confidential and sensitive information.

About Us:

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

What We Offer:

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Opportunities for training and personal development.
• Hybrid working.

The full job description is available in the candidate pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role offers hybrid working, with the expectation to attend the office 2 days per week. We are open to part-time applications or job shares - please indicate your preferred working arrangement in your application.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.

• Proven previous experience as an Executive Assistant working proactively at Director/Board level.
• Demonstrate experience of proposing solutions on behalf of directors or senior managers making decisions on behalf of the director and thinking through decisions to conclusion.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to multitask with competing priorities and deadlines.

Important Information:

• We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
• If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
• Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
• If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.
• We are happy to consider alternative application formats for those who find the online form challenging.

If you are a proactive, highly skilled Executive Assistant looking for a meaningful role where you can make a real impact, we would love to hear from you. Join us in supporting our Executive Leadership Team and helping the MND Association achieve its vital mission. Apply now and be part of a dynamic team making a difference for the MND community.

Job Title: Management Accountant

Official job title: Finance Business Partner

Salary: £41,300 per annum

Hours: 37 per week

Location: Northampton office

Contract: Permanent

Are you an enthusiastic finance professional looking to take on an exciting new challenge? Join Our Team as a Management Accountant at the MND Association!

MND Association is seeking a Management Accountant to support our budget holders and help improve their financial performance. This is a fantastic new opportunity to work with a friendly established team, providing crucial financial guidance and insight to support our core activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Management Accountant in preparing annual budgets and forecasts.
• Collaborate with budget holders to build, review, and update budgets and forecasts.
• Provide monthly management reporting and analysis
• Meeting regularly with budget holders to review financial performance and outstanding commitments.
• Guide budget holders to enhance budgeting and forecasting accuracy
• Continuously review and improve accounting practices for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Deliver training, advice, and guidance to budget holders.
• Assist in setting up Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the Business Information (BI) module on the finance system.
• Support the Project Management Office (PMO) with financial analysis and reporting.
• Provide detailed restricted income analysis and spend tracking.
• Undertake cost tracking and analysis for Care Centres & Networks.
• Assist with quarterly VAT returns with the Financial Accountant.
• Support external and internal audit queries.
• Assist with year-end financial analysis and preparation of statutory accounts.
• Contribute to finance related project work within the Association.

About You:

• Part Qualified / Studying towards ACCA, CIMA, ACA or Qualified by Experience
• Strong communication skills oral and written with the ability to engage with senior stakeholders, and all budget holders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Strong organisational and planning abilities.
• Understanding of various accounting systems (Exledger and Budgyt desirable)
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritise, multitask, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of charity accounting (desirable but not essential).
• A collaborative team player with a 'can do' and creative approach.
• Flexible attitude to adapt to a diverse range of duties.

About Us:

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

What We Offer:

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Opportunities for training and personal development.
• Hybrid working.

The full job description is available in the candidate pack.

Please note your official job title will be Finance Business Partner.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role offers hybrid working, with the expectation to attend the office 3 days per week. We are open to part-time applications or job shares - please indicate your preferred working arrangement in your application.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.

• Part Qualified / Studying towards ACCA, CIMA or ACA / QBE

• Strong communication skills to liaise

• Ability to engage with Directors, Senior Management, and non-Finance budget holders

Important Information:

• We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
• If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
• Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
• If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.
• We are happy to consider alternative application formats for those who find the online form challenging.

At the MND Association, we are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people affected by motor neurone disease. As a Management Accountant, you'll play a crucial role in supporting us in a supportive and rewarding environment.

About us:

The Humane League UK (THL UK) is a charity ending the abuse of animals raised for food by influencing the policies of the world's biggest companies, demanding legislation, and empowering others to take action. 

We're a mission-driven, energetic team focused on problem-solving and effective teamwork, and have grown significantly over the last few years. 

Thanks to our effectiveness, The Humane League has been named Top Charity by the independent evaluator Animal Charity Evaluators for every rating period since 2012.

THL UK is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to furthering equity and inclusion, and we value diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds who will bring a fresh perspective to the team, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. 

We make employment decisions by matching our organisational needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, neurodiversity, age, or veteran status.

​We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer, demonstrating our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, based on their skills and talent.

You can read more about how The Humane League UK is working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on our website.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us via our website and we will be happy to discuss, via email or telephone, reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the process.

The position:

The Humane League UK (THL UK) is seeking a data-focussed and strategic individual, with a strong background in digital fundraising, to help drive long-lasting improvements for millions of farmed animals.

This is an exciting time to join a growing organisation, with ambitious fundraising targets over the coming years as we work toward greater financial self-reliance and stability. 

To achieve those targets we need to accelerate our individual giving and digital fundraising programme. 

You can be part of our Development Team helping to make this happen.

You’ll develop and execute our digital fundraising strategy, utilising data to maximise acquisition, engagement, optimisation and conversion of our supporter base to grow our income. By significantly increasing the number of regular givers, converting a higher percentage of non-givers to donors, and acquiring new supporters who can be converted into future donors, you can make sure that our work continues to have long-lasting impacts - ending cages for egg-laying hens, convincing corporates to commit to improving chicken welfare in their supply chains, challenging the Government over the use of fast-growing breeds of chicken, and working to secure the first legislation to protect farmed fish.

To find out more about the role you can watch the recording of our recent webinar by following the 'Apply via website' button.

Who you are:

We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience of analysing, assessing and utilising data, making the most of technical solutions and making informed decisions to optimise and enhance fundraising performance. You’ll have good experience working with CRMs and donor data. If you have experience implementing a new CRM solution in an organisation, this will be a big plus. You will have excellent attention to detail and high standards - ensuring clean and good quality data, maintaining consistent data use across the organisation.

You will have a proven track record of delivering digital fundraising strategies and successful digital fundraising campaigns, as well as developing supporter journeys. You will be someone who thrives on collaborating across an organisation to ensure communications and campaigns are as effective as possible, leading to increased acquisition, engagement and conversion.

You are someone who is able to use their initiative to solve problems and overcome challenges. You are self-motivated, able to work autonomously, be proactive and resourceful. You are a good organiser and project manager, able to manage complex tasks and keep projects on track, ensuring good internal communication and collaboration.

We foster an environment of feedback, development and learning at THL UK. You’ll be someone that values receiving feedback, is able to assess your own performance, and has a desire to want to learn, develop and improve as an individual.

We are looking for someone committed to the work we do for animals, who aligns with our values and has a passion and enthusiasm for digital fundraising. Prior experience of digital fundraising is essential.

We will provide relevant learning and development opportunities, tailored to your experience and personal needs, which could include in-house training, external training, and fundraising events and conferences.

Be part of our mission to end the abuse of animals raised for food.

Primary Duties:

• Lead on developing and executing our digital fundraising strategy: working with our Digital Communications Manager to make sure it aligns with and feeds into our wider organisational digital strategy, as well as with the Head of Development to make sure it aligns with our wider fundraising strategy.

• Management of our new CRM: we are in the process of selecting a new CRM solution to support fundraising at THL UK. This role will initially take responsibility for getting this implemented and embedded in the organisation, and then take on the day-to-day management and responsibility of the CRM to make sure we utilise the platform to its full potential and resolve any challenges or issues.

• Coordinating our end of year fundraising appeal: our biggest of the year, working with our Digital Fundraiser to develop engaging content and communications, and with our Major Gifts Fundraiser and Head of Development to secure match funds and major gifts, to ensure we secure valuable income each year (this appeal raised over £100k in 2024). You’ll help set and track the targets and metrics for the campaign, and conduct post-campaign analysis to capture what we learn to inform our future activities.

• With a focus on acquisition, retention, and conversion, work with our Digital Communications Manager to map out and develop donor journeys as part of our wider supporter journeys, using technological solutions to ensure supporters are progressing effectively.

• Regularly assess and analyse supporter and donor data, using these insights to shape our strategy and activities. This includes monitoring engagement levels across various touch points, such as donating, volunteering, taking digital actions, or engaging with our communications, as well as evaluating segmentation and targeting of key audiences. Identify the data needed to inform decision-making and establish mechanisms to capture it effectively.

• Work with the Finance Operations Lead to make sure all supporter and donation data in our CRM is accurate, complete and up-to-date: this includes ensuring that Gift Aid claims are regularly made, donation data is regularly reconciled with our finance system, that we have a holistic picture of our supporters, and we have a regular programme of data cleansing in place.

• Ensure our donation processes are optimised: allowing us to minimise any possible friction on our donation pages and increase the percentage of those going on to make a donation. Ensuring that we have processes in place to capture abandoned baskets and failed payments, and any technical issues which could disrupt our ability to collect payments are monitored and resolved quickly, working with our technical partners or external experts where necessary.

• Oversee the development of any new donation pages or donor data collection forms: whether those are created in-house or by an external consult or agency.

• Make sure THL UK team members are getting what they need from our CRM and technical solutions. Ensuring that they are using systems correctly and consistently, to avoid poor practices which might result in bad data or sub-optimal functionality. Including access and user permissions, notifications and alerts for new donors and donations, training and support, and access to dashboards and reports needed to inform their work.

• Manage any external support required to optimise our CRM and technological solutions: including our CRM partner, payment processing partner and any additional consultants or third parties. Work with them to make sure any technical issues or significant architectural changes are addressed.

• Provide day-to-day support to our Digital Fundraiser: offering advice and guidance,  working with them on campaigns and communications to help us achieve the goals as set out in our digital fundraising strategy, including regular pushes for key income streams such as regular giving.

• Make sure we optimise any available budget to increase acquisition and conversion to help us achieve our strategic goals.

• Keep colleagues up-to-date on our digital fundraising plans and make sure those plans are fed into our organisation-wide planning tools.

• Look for opportunities for technology to enhance fundraising at THL UK, including use of AI.

In addition:

• Attending relevant events and conferences as necessary: whether to increase your learning, engage with peers in the animal protection or fundraising sectors, or to help raise our profile and support our wider fundraising efforts.

• Helping drive understanding of and engagement with fundraising across the organisation, with staff, volunteers and trustees: sharing updates through presentations, workshops, written communications, or other effective formats to keep the wider team informed on fundraising progress. 

• Participating in team meetings including note-taking and facilitation.

• Help us make THL UK an inclusive workplace where employees and supporters are proud to be members of the movement

• Demonstrate commitment to creating a stronger and more effective animal protection movement through inclusion and belonging.Recognising the need for all of us to do better for social justice on a personal and organisational level.

• Attending in-person team workshops several times a year.

• Performing any other duties assigned by the Head of Development.

For full details of the role, including the key competencies we see as the the most important requirements for being successful in this position, please visit our website by following the 'Apply via Website' button.

Hours:

This is a full time position of 37.5 hours per week over Monday to Friday.

From 1st July 2024 we are piloting a four day working week across the whole of the UK organisation. The pilot is planned to run for 12 months, at which point a decision will be made by our Board of Trustees as to whether this will become permanent. Success of the trial relies on the organisation being able to achieve the same or improved level of impact in four working days as five, with staff experiencing either the same or improved levels of wellbeing.

During the four day week pilot, working hours for this position will be reduced to 30 hours per week, to be worked across Monday to Thursday, with no reduction in salary. This will be a temporary change to the contractual terms for the successful candidate. The appointed person must be prepared to increase their working hours to 37.5 hours per week if a return to a five-day working week is decided. In the event that THL UK considers before the end of the trial period that the trial is having an adverse operational impact, we reserve the right to bring the trial to end on one month’s notice.

Good to know:

You will have access to:

• ​A fully remote work environment and team (all equipment is provided)
• A 4 day working week (note: this is a year long pilot until July 2025 when its continuation will be assessed)
• 25 days leave plus Public Holidays (reduced proportionately during four day week trial)
• ​Flexible working hours
• ​A workplace pension
• An annual learning and development budget
• Support for mental and physical wellbeing 
• £25 per month reimbursement towards home working costs

At The Humane League UK, animal welfare is at the forefront of our everyday work and as such, many of our employees are vegan by personal choice. All of our events and workshops offer only plant-based meals. We welcome all mission-aligned candidates to apply, no matter where you are in your journey to end the abuse of animals raised for food.

We are looking to speak to a wide range of candidates with diverse backgrounds - #NonGraduatesWelcome

Our employees all work remotely but still enjoy a supportive, collaborative environment.

For our salaries to be fair, transparent and equitable we want to provide a system that delivers a competitive salary in the market and could eliminate potential biases in compensation (such as the gender pay gap). For more information about the Digital Fundraising Lead salary please the attached document.

All applicants need to be:

1. ​Fluent in written and spoken English.
2. ​Live and have the right to work in the UK (we are unable to consider applications from those without the right to work in the UK).
3. ​Committed to our mission to end the abuse of animals raised for food.

The Process:

All applicants will be contacted within one week of the closing date to let you know if you have been successful in reaching the next stage.

Our full interview process comprises of the following stages:

• A skills test to give us an opportunity to see your skills in action (completed remotely).
• Join an online interview (via video call) so we can learn more about each other.
• Final Interview (via video call as above)

For full details of our recruitment process please see the attached document. 

Job purpose

To support and deliver effective communications, including marketing and digital engagement activities, which raise awareness of Dementia Carers Count and foster connections with our community of carers, campaigners and donors. Your work will help us reach and support more carers, raise funds and campaign for changes which will ensure that no dementia carer feels isolated, invisible or alone. 

Key responsibilities  

•Understand our cause, linked issues, and how these are publicly perceived 

•Horizon scan to spot social and news trends as well as potential influencer targets 

•Manage our social platforms, keeping abreast of media and public zeitgeist about our cause and related issues. You will design and deliver paid advertising campaigns and monitor, respond, share, engage, comment on posts, according to our guidelines and with responsibility for reputation management 

•Share audience insights with colleagues to ensure effective stewardship of all our defined audiences 

•Support development of media relationships. You will curate press and media lists and respond to media queries, with shared out of hours responsibility.

•Draft statements and press releases and pitch ideas for articles and features, developing copy as needed and tracking coverage 

•Support user-led story telling as part of content creation, including interviewing carers about their experiences and identifying opportunities to share carers’ voices in our materials 

•Draft website copy and develop assets for digital use and printed materials which communicate our key messages and brand and which support specific campaigns 

•Review and monitor evaluation and reporting metrics to provide regular and campaign-based management information relating to the success of digital and media activity 

•Support effective cross-organisational internal communication 

•Adhere to all relevant legislative and regulatory obligations relating to marketing, digital and communications 

•Carry out other duties commensurate with this post as requested.