Jobs in Haddington and Lammermuir, East Lothian

Help us support communities in East Lothian with quality advice.

Who we are

East Lothian Advice Consortium Ltd (ELAC) is a company limited by guarantee without share capital which has contracted with East Lothian Council (ELC) for the provision of advice services in East Lothian. These advice services are delivered by way of sub-contracts between ELAC and Haddington Citizens Advice Bureau (HCAB) and Musselburgh Citizens Advice Bureau (MCAB). They are both independent charities that provide free, impartial, and confidential information and advice services in East Lothian. We offer support on issues ranging from debt, benefits, and welfare rights to consumer rights, finances, and budgeting support.

Our services are available to everyone in our local communities. We aim to make them as accessible as possible by promoting equality and diversity and by challenging discrimination.

Who are we looking for?

We currently have a small but strong Board of Directors with diverse professional expertise. We are seeking a new Chair who can lead ELAC through a period of new contract delivery and support the Bureaux with quarterly meetings with ELC, ensuring we provide the most relevant and accessible advice services possible in terms of the contract.

The role offers the opportunity to a make a central and strategic contribution to supporting the people of East Lothian with a range of pressing advice issues. Our work at HCAB and MCAB also makes a fundamental contribution to the campaigns and advocacy work of Citizens Advice Scotland on behalf of the full network of CABs.

To support these outcomes, we plan for a minimum 3-month induction period during which the successful candidate will shadow the current Chair and get to know our organisation in detail as a Director. Once fully in post as Chair from August 2025, you will be further supported by our experienced members.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience of organisational leadership who feel passionate about our work, regardless of professional background. We are looking for candidates with a sound understanding of (third sector) governance, financial acumen, and experience contributing to or leading boards.

The Chair will:

• be independent of any of the Providers
• provide leadership and ensure the ELAC Board monitors and delivers the Advice Services Contract on behalf of East Lothian Council.
• effectively chair ELAC meetings with the power of a casting vote where allowed by the Articles of the Company.
• act as the key representative and liaison for ELAC and ensure an effective relationship is maintained between the ELAC Board, the Providers and the Council.
• work with ELAC and the Delivery Management Team to organise quarterly ELAC meetings, an AGM and any additional meetings, training or strategic planning events as required by ELAC.
• represent the ELAC Board at meetings or events as required/available.
• participate and/or lead in dispute resolution where issues or disputes arise between any of the parties

Time committment

The expected commitment for the Chair is approximately 30 hours per quarter, incorporating flexibility to work around a full-time working schedule. Board and ELC meetings are each held 4 times a year, normally two weeks apart.

Meetings are held online.