Join Our Board and Make a Difference at Edinburgh Students' Charities Appeal.

Are you passionate about empowering students, supporting charitable causes, and making a positive impact in our community? ESCA is seeking dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees and play a pivotal role in driving our mission forward.

About ESCA:

Our Legacy: With a history spanning over 155 years, ESCA is the link between students and charitable giving. We have a rich legacy of empowering students to fundraise for causes they care about.

Our Aim: ESCA's aim is to inspire, support, and enable students to organise innovative fundraising events that benefit both local and global charitable initiatives.

What We Do:

Empower Students: ESCA provides students with the resources, guidance, and support they need to create and manage their fundraising events. We believe in the power of young minds to drive positive change.

Fundraising Support: We offer grants, event planning assistance, technology resources, and mentorship to students, helping them turn their ideas into impactful fundraisers.

Community Engagement: ESCA fosters a sense of community among students, volunteers, and charitable organisations, strengthening our collective ability to make a difference.

What We Are Looking For:

As part of our open recruitment for Board members, ESCA is specifically seeking individuals with expertise and experience in the following areas:

HR/Legal Expertise: We are looking for someone with a background in human resources or legal affairs who can provide guidance on governance, compliance, and HR-related matters.

Finance/Accounting Experience: We seek a Board member with financial and accounting expertise to help oversee our financial operations, budgets, and financial strategy.

Marketing and PR Experience: ESCA aims to expand its reach and impact. We need a marketing and PR expert who can help us develop and execute effective strategies to raise awareness and support.

Why Join ESCA

Make a Difference: Your involvement with ESCA directly contributes to positive change in our community and supports charitable causes.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, students, and professionals who share your passion for philanthropy and community engagement.

Shape the Future: Contribute your expertise to guide ESCA's strategic direction and help us evolve in an ever-changing landscape.

What to Expect at ESCA:

Board Meetings: Trustees typically commit to attending monthly in-person board meetings. These meetings provide a forum for strategic discussions, decision-making, and updates from our students.

Communication Commitments: Alongside Board meetings, trustees will be expected to engage in document reviews and correspondence, ensuring effective communication and preparation for upcoming meetings and ESCA activities.

Event Participation: Depending on your availability and interests, you may choose to participate in ESCA events, engaging with the community and supporting our initiatives.

Edinburgh Students’ Charities Appeal (ESCA) provides support to students in Edinburgh who wish to gain skills and experience in fundraising. The organisation facilitates student led fundraising events and activities.

We are looking for a Student Fundraising Support Coordinator to support students in Edinburgh with fundraising activities, by providing guidance and practical advice on a range of activities, including working with the RAG (Raising and Giving) and Meadows Marathon student committees to plan their annual events. They will run the organisation’s day-to-day activities and contribute to strategic planning by working with the Trustees. They will also implement development projects to improve the support students receive and the events ESCA arranges.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support ESCA’s Student Volunteer Team with fundraising and event management

• Offer a high level of support and advice to student volunteers on all aspects of fundraising.
• Assist the RAG Committee to organise events, e.g. Hitchhikes, Meadows Marathon and RAG Week.
• Support students to develop, and adhere to, risk assessments, marketing plans, event budgets (in conjunction with the Company Secretary), and event plans/deadlines.
• Attend student meetings as necessary; ensure students are working to targets and deadlines.
• Provide volunteers with a safe and supportive environment.
• Facilitate communication within the organisation, particularly between the students and trustees.
• Arrange appropriate licenses and risk assessments for events, e.g. market sellers licenses.
• Assist students in liaising with external suppliers and supporters, including oversight of contracts and sponsorships agreements.

Provide information and advice to all other students wishing to fundraise within Edinburgh

• Act as the main contact for general enquiries.
• Support sports clubs, societies and individuals with their charitable fundraising goals.
• Deliver outstanding fundraising and events support face-to-face, over the phone and online, as well as providing quality fundraising resources to students and student societies.
• Develop and implement Support Agreements for societies and student groups. Maintain / build effective working relationships with external organisations including Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA), the University of Edinburgh, and external charities.
• Speak to students who drop-in to the office, including fielding enquiries related to EUSA.
• Actively seek to support students at ALL higher education institutions in Edinburgh, including representing ESCA at local outreach events e.g. volunteering and community fairs.

General Responsibilities

• Keep accurate records of volunteers and project activity.
• Lead the Edinburgh Award in Charitable Fundraising.
• Manage the ESCA Fundraising Grant.
• Maintain accurate and up to date knowledge of the charity sector, including legislation and policy related to volunteering – advise trustees of any necessary changes to ESCA’s policies.
• Review, maintain and develop volunteer policies, procedures, guidance and support materials.
• Develop and deliver training for volunteers to equip them with the skills to run excellent events and activities, and regarding ESCA’s policies and procedures.
• Ensure all activities comply with ESCA’s policies and procedures, and legal requirements, including GDPR.
• Assist with the management of ESCA’s social media, website and MailChimp.

Person Specification

EXPERIENCE OF

Essential

• Event management
• Supporting, motivating and managing volunteers/staff
• Working/volunteering in the charity sector/fundraising

Desirable

• Working with students/RAG
• Working with people at all levels
• Organising or delivering training

KNOWLEDGE OF

Desirable

• Current and emerging issues in volunteering and fundraising
• Best practice in volunteering and volunteer support
• Charity law
• Health, safety and security issues in events and fundraising

ABILITY TO

Essential

• Produce risk assessments and event plans
• Be proactive and work on own initiative with little supervision
• Work with groups and committees
• Anticipate, mitigate and solve problems independently
• Develop and implement new systems and processes
• Multitask, prioritise and organise own workload
• Develop effective working relationships and deal with a diverse range of people, both internally and externally
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including ability to write reports and deliver presentations
• Confidently use computers, including Microsoft Office, OneDrive, online systems, email and social media

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

• A commitment to promoting equality and diversity
• Attention to detail
• Flexibility in working hours, including ability to work weekends and evenings when required (Time off in Lieu is given for evening/weekend work)
• Flexibility in responding to varying tasks, duties and workload
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly

Edinburgh Students’ Charities Appeal (ESCA) provides support to students in Edinburgh who wish to gain skills and experience in fundraising. The organisation facilitates student led fundraising events and activities. We are looking for a Student Fundraising Support Coordinator (some flexibility on remote/office working initially and perhaps a 'hybrid' approach moving forward) to support students in Edinburgh with fundraising activities, by providing guidance and practical advice on a range of activities, including working with the RAG (Raising and Giving) student committee to plan their annual events. They will run the organisation’s day-to-day activities and contribute to strategic planning by working with the Trustees. They will also implement development projects to improve the support students receive and the events ESCA arranges.