Research and Insight Manager

£42,255 per annum pro rata inc. London weighting, or £38,527 per annum pro rata outside of London

Part time, 4 days per week

Maternity cover, 9 – 12 months

London, N1 or homebased

NCVO is transforming the way it works. With a new strategic direction and leadership team, we are determined to work with our members so that charities and volunteering can thrive. As the country recovers from the covid-19 pandemic and renews itself, charities and volunteering aren’t just vital support systems for communities in need – they’re at the heart of how people want to lead their lives.

The networks and influencing team combines the research, policy, campaigns, and member engagement functions at NCVO. Through our work we contribute to improving national and local policy that affects charities and volunteering, and strengthening the practice of voluntary and volunteer-involving organisations. NCVO is an important part of the voluntary sector research community, with a reputation for producing high quality and impactful research.

As our research and insight manager, you will lead our research programme on volunteering and the volunteer experience. Volunteering has been a major element of the pandemic, as people organise locally, have been mobilised nationally, and have given their time to their communities and the causes they care about. With a strong background in qualitative and quantitative research methods – and knowledge of the voluntary sector – you will ensure our research responds to the needs of our members and is based on their insight. 

As a member of the research team, you will contribute to our sector-leading publications, including the Civil Society Almanac, annual Road Ahead, and Time Well Spent. You will support the conclusion of our UK-wide Mobilising Voluntary Action research and ensure that the recommendations are taken forward as part of the Vision for Volunteering. You will bring your ideas and skills to conduct research that aligns with our strategic priorities around barriers to volunteering, specifically in relation to disability.

You will plan, delivery and publish major research publications that help organisations, policymakers, and funders respond, adapt, and change the way they work. During this maternity cover, you will publish a report into the impact of covid-19 on the volunteer experience and plan for a major re-run of our full Time Well Spent report, which will see you plan a national survey (with approx. 10,000 respondents). 

You will be an active member of the network and influencing team, supporting our research work, engaging directly with NCVO members, managing external relationships, and strengthening our influencing work with government. With strong inter-personal skills, you will work in a collaborative way with other teams, partner organisations, and stakeholders. 

NCVO is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and identities. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented in NCVO. As part of our commitment to employing disabled people, all disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirement for all competencies on the person specification, will be guaranteed an interview.

If you have access needs or require reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Please visit our website via the Apply button for more information and to apply.

Closing date: Thursday 27 January, 09:00

Interviews: 1-3 February, timings flexible

About NCVO

NCVO supports volunteering and charities.

We believe that the work of volunteers and charities make our communities stronger and the world around us better, for everyone.

Our members are at the heart of our mission. We work collaboratively with our 15,000-strong network of national and local charities and voluntary organisations. We share practical support and new insight so that people and organisations can focus on making a difference. And we work alongside our members to ensure that the essential role of volunteers and charities is widely recognised.

NCVO is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from everyone. 

Benefits for NCVO employees

NCVO offers attractive benefits including: 25 days’ annual leave (for full time staff and pro-rata for part-time staff) and the option to purchase up to 5 more days each year, take 35 hours of volunteering leave per year, subsidised gym membership, season ticket loan, flexible working including opportunities to work from home/off-site, generous contributions to a stakeholder pension scheme and training and development opportunities. We are located a short walk from London King’s Cross station in a modern accessible building, overlooking Regent’s canal.