Policy and Research Coordinator
Location: Hybrid (typically 3 days in the office), central Manchester with occasional travel
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000
Closing date: 10am, Monday 13th July 2026
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is a national organisation working to strengthen social cohesion and integration across the UK. Through research, policy development and place-based programmes, we bring people together, support communities and champion approaches that help create a more connected and less divided society.
Belong is entering an exciting new phase of growth. With a strengthened national profile, an ambitious strategy and a passionate team, we are looking for talented people who share our commitment to creating positive change.
About the Role
As Policy and Research Coordinator, you will play an important role in supporting the delivery of Belong’s policy and research work. Working closely with the Policy and Research Lead and wider team, you will help ensure projects are well organised, rigorous and impactful.
This varied role combines research coordination, stakeholder engagement and project support. You will contribute to research and policy projects from planning through to dissemination, supporting activities such as literature reviews, data collection and analysis, stakeholder engagement, report writing and project administration. You will also help coordinate meetings, workshops and consultation activities, ensuring research findings and insights are effectively shared with a range of audiences.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with information and evidence, managing multiple priorities, and contributing to work that informs policy, practice and positive social change.
About You
You will be an organised and proactive individual with experience supporting research projects, policy development or related activities, ideally within a charity, public policy or research environment.
You will have strong information-handling skills, with the ability to analyse, summarise and synthesise complex material clearly and accurately. Alongside excellent written and verbal communication skills, you will be comfortable building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and managing competing priorities effectively.
Most importantly, you will be intellectually curious, collaborative and committed to Belong’s mission and values. You will bring a solutions-focused approach, a strong attention to detail, and a genuine desire to learn and develop within a policy and research environment.
Benefits
30 days’ annual leave per year
Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
Enhanced sick pay
Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
How to Apply
Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our recruitment partner's site, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. As part of your application, you will be asked to answer three questions.
Please tell us about a piece of work that you are particularly proud of and the role you played in its success. (max. 300 words)
Please describe a situation where you had to work with a range of different people to achieve a shared outcome. (max. 300 words)
Belong works with people, communities and organisations from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. What values or principles guide how you work with others? (max. 300 words)
Deadline: 10am on Monday 13th July 2026
Interviews: 21st or 22nd July 2026 (in-person in Manchester)
For questions or to arrange an informal conversation, please contact Atkinson HR Consulting.
Belong’s Commitment to Inclusion
Belong is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. They welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage individuals from communities under-represented in the charity sector to apply. Impostor syndrome can disproportionately impact candidates from marginalised groups—if you are unsure whether to apply, we encourage you to do so.