The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) is seeking a motivated and organised individual to join our team as Assistant Development Officer (ADO). This post enhances the Club’s delivery of key programmes and provides vital support to our Development Manager across several cross-cutting areas of activity. It’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful youth and community engagement work, and to help shape the future of Scotland’s birding community. The post will be line managed by the Development Manager.

Hours:22.5 hours per week (flexibly over 3 days, with at least one day overlapping the Development Manager)

Contract:Fixed-term, 24 months from start date

Salary:£13.74–£14.38 per hour (depending on experience) (equivalent to approx. £16,076–£16,825 per annum pro rata)

Location:Hybrid working, with presence at Waterston House (Aberlady) and occasional travel to events

Start Date:As soon as possible in 2026

About the Role

This post will take a lead on several high-impact programmes and provide broader development and administrative support to the SOC. The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Coordinating the Scottish Bird Camp, SOC’s flagship youth initiative, and contributing to the development of a new schools-based outreach programme targeting underrepresented young people in Scotland.
• Managing the Club’s Winter Talks Programme, working with speakers and SOC branches to deliver a diverse and inspiring programme of 80+ talks annually.
• Supporting the Club’s branch network, assisting with volunteer communications, outreach activities, and local development projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver the annual Scottish Bird Camp, liaising with partners, staff, and young participants.
• Oversee the development and production of the SOC’s Winter Talks Programme in collaboration with branch volunteers and external speakers.
• Provide administrative and practical support to the Development Manager, branches, and other staff involved in delivering development projects.
• Maintain regular communication with volunteers, speakers, and external partners to ensure a coordinated and professional approach.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in event planning and coordination, preferably including cyclical or multi-stakeholder events.
• Demonstrated experience working professionally with young people in a supportive, inclusive, and safe manner.
• Excellent organisational and multitasking skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a confident and professional approach to stakeholder engagement.
• A solid understanding of safeguarding practices and willingness to undertake training as required.
• Ability to work independently while also being a collaborative and supportive team member.
• Confidence using digital tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Zoom, and Canva.
• A strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and engaging underrepresented communities.
• Well-established contacts in the ornithological and/or wider natural history community, enabling effective speaker recruitment and broadening the reach of SOC’s Winter Talks Programme.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience delivering youth-focused environmental or conservation programmes.
• Knowledge or strong interest in birds, ornithology, or natural history.
• Familiarity with SOC’s structure and branch network.
• Experience with social media and digital communications for outreach and event promotion.
• Experience using project or event management software and/or CRM systems.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a passionate and knowledgeable team working at the heart of Scottish ornithology. This role offers flexible working, the chance to make a lasting impact on youth and community engagement, and an opportunity to shape national programmes that connect people with birds and nature. To learn more about the Club and our work, please visit www.the-soc.org.uk.

We are seeking a female Pupil Support Assistant (PSA) to support our daughter, an S1 pupil with Additional Support Needs (ASN), starting August 2026.

Our daughter will be attending Regius Christian School (Newcraighall) and requires dedicated 1:1 support throughout the school day to assist with learning and navigating daily routines.

Hours & Pay:

• 3 days per week: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday (8:45am – 3:15pm)
• £16 per hour, pro rata (term-time only, 37 weeks per year)

Role Overview:

• Provide consistent, full-day 1:1 support in a school environment (minus break and lunch.)
• Assist with academic engagement and emotional regulation working collaboratively with Regius School Staff.
• Maintain open and regular communication with the class teacher regarding progress, challenges and any ongoing concerns.
• Help structure and manage the school day.
• Build a strong, trusting relationship with our daughter.
• A settling-in period will be essential to allow the PSA and pupil to get to know one another. Success in this role will depend greatly on the connection and relationship built.

Essential Requirements:

• Female applicant.
• A committed member of a Christian church, able to support and uphold the ethos of the school.
• Up-to-date PVG certification (specifically for Regius school.)
• Self-employed status, including responsibility for HMRC registration, National Insurance, and personal payroll arrangements.

Personal Qualities:

• Warm, patient, and enthusiastic.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Able to balance firmness with kindness.

Desirable:

• Experience and/or training in ASN support.
• Willingness to undertake further relevant training.

Additional Information:

• Ideally, the PSA will be able to provide transport to and from school (pupil based in North Edinburgh).
• Travel time will be paid.

We are currently looking to recruit support workers to join our small team within Inclusion Alliance. The role involves supporting people with learning disabilities to be included in the community and lead an ordinary life. Your work would involve helping people to access educational, social, leisure and work or volunteering opportunities in the community.

No experience or formal qualifications are necessary for the role although a caring nature, positive attitude and a sense of fun are important characteristics to have. New staff will receive paid training and undertake shadow shifts with experienced staff members during induction. We want new staff to feel ready and able to work prior to working on their own for the first time.

We have various vacancies available including part time and relief/casual positions in various locations throughout Edinburgh.

Working hours are based between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

We have various permanent and casual vacancies available.

Relief/Casual pay rate- £12.75 per hour.

Candidates must be caring, motivated and have excellent communication skills whilst being committed to working in a person-centred way ensuring that support is built around the supported person’s wishes and needs.

Benefits include

• Employer contributory pension scheme
• Funded SVQ 3 qualification and learning opportunity
• Paid annual leave entitlement
• Regular paid supervision sessions
• Regular paid training and development opportunities
• Daytime Monday to Friday working
• Working for a well-established small organisation where person centred values are at the core.Free 24/7 access to employee support app

Ark is a major provider of Housing, Care and Support to people with long term and enduring conditions such as learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia and autism.

Ark supports people to live independently in their own homes providing everything from a few hours a week social and life admin support to 24/7 care supporting with personal care, medication, household tasks, attending appointments and leisure activities.

We have lots of opportunities across Scotland for our Support Worker roles. As we provide full training no previous is experience is required.

If you are enthusiastic about supporting people to live their best lives, then apply now to join our team!

Your main duties will include but not be limited to:

• Working with colleagues as part of an effective and efficient team to support vulnerable people.
• Communicate and work well with our supported people to provide individual care and maintain appropriate relationships.
• Being responsible in supporting individuals throughout the activities, giving positive feedback and encouragement.
• Updating and maintaining accurate records using a tablet on Arks Information Management system.

Previous experience of the following is an advantage but not essential as Ark will provide full training: Care Worker, Social worker, Home Carer, Case Worker, Care Assistant, Autism Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant , Social Care Worker.

View our job outline, find out what you working week could look like and hear from our current Support Workers on Arks website arkha.org.uk/work-with-us

Why Ark?

• No Previous Experience Required - Ark provide full training so no previous experience is required making our Support Worker roles the perfect place to start your career in Adult Social Care.
• Get a qualification while you work - Ark fully fund your SVQ2 in Health & Social Care which you complete with the support of our in house SVQ team.
• Employee Discounts - Employee Discounts Portal with 1000s of discounts on your favourite brands including Supermarkets, Cinema Tickets, Gym Membership and Holidays.
• Career Progression -Over 75% of all Managers within Care & Support have been promoted internally.
• Employee Assistance Program - Arks Employee Assistance program (EAP) gives all employees access to counselling sessions. There is also support available through weekly webinars and the EAP Website & App.
• Contracted hours to suit you-We have Full-time, Part-time and Relief Support Worker roles available at our services throughout Scotland.

In return for your valuable contribution, Ark will also offer you:

• Up to 36 days paid holiday per year pro rata
• 4% Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Fully funded PVG & 1st year SSSC registration paid by Ark

Our employees told us in a recent survey that they stay with Ark because they believe in our values, we have supportive managers who continually appreciate their staff and they love making a positive difference in our supported peoples lives, helping them to achieve their dreams.

Ark would love to hear from you whether you are an experienced Support Worker or new to Social Care.