About the Role
Working hours: Full time
Location: UK wide with regular travel
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £55,000-£60,000
You will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers.
You can download the full Policy and Research Lead recruitment pack in English.
Key Responsibilities
Policy and Research Leadership
- Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance and impact
- Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses and thought leadership pieces
- Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners
- Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory and informed by lived experience
- Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders and sector leaders
- Represent Belong at external meetings, events and networks
- Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners
- Contribute to the dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media and digital channels
Internal Tasks
- Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy
- Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration
- Assist with proposal development and funder engagement
- Line manage junior staff or associates as required
About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:
- Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes
- Experience working in or with government, think tanks or advocacy organisations
- Strong analytical and writing skills
- Knowledge of cohesion, integration and community development
- Excellent project management and organisational abilities
- Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods
- Experience in income generation or bid development
- Relevant qualification in public policy, social research or related field
- Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages
- Politically aware and intellectually curious
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
Personal Qualities:
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK
- Strategic and solutions-focused
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Practical, reliable and detail-oriented
- Committed to personal and professional development
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment
The Application Process
Deadline: 23:59pm, Monday 12th January 2026
First interviews: 5th & 6th February, online
Second interviews: 13th February, online
How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing how you meet the person specification to recruitment@belongnetwork.co.uk with the email subject line ‘Application to the role of Policy & Research Lead.’
If you have any questions or would like to arrange an initial, informal discussion about the role, please contact recruitment@belongnetwork.co.uk.
If you think you have what it takes to fulfil this role but aren’t sure you meet every point on the person specification, please still get in touch. We’d love to have a chat and see if you could help us to create a lasting difference.