- Advertised from 19th July 2023
- 22.5 hours per week – working pattern flexible. Office based in Edinburgh with possibility of some remote working
Role
IPPR is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, and from applicants with a range of professional and lived experiences. As an organisation engaging in critical debate about a wide range of progressive policy issues, we value the creativity and range of perspectives that a diverse team can provide.
Are you driven by a commitment to end inequalities? Do you want to play a role in towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous Scotland? Can you harness the power of words to change hearts and minds? If so, we have a role that will give you the chance to shape political debate and policy in Scotland and help secure lasting change.
IPPR Scotland is an independent charity which – through rigorous research, analysis and public dialogue – works to make today’s bold ideas tomorrow’s common sense and provide the policies to make them a reality. We are recruiting a Media and Impact Officer to play a leading role in communicating that mission and our work – to the public, decision makers and opinion formers – and helping to shape the public and political debate for social, democratic, environmental, and economic progress.
Working alongside the IPPR Scotland Director and Head of Media and Advocacy (North and Scotland), the postholder is responsible for implementing IPPR Scotland’s communications strategy. Spanning traditional and new media, you will plan, coordinate, and deliver media and digital communications outputs, identify opportunities to proactively shape policy debates, and help to secure impact and influence across a wide range of audiences.
As part of the wider IPPR-family, you will also have the opportunity to utilise your skills right across the UK – working closely with counterparts in the IPPR communications team, contributing to UK-wide communications planning, and helping to deliver UK-wide outputs.
If you have the ability to think creatively and work flexibly as part of a small team, we would like to hear from you. To be successful you will have experience of working in a communications or media environment; knowledge of the Scotland-based media; and a keen interest in politics and public policy in Scotland. You will combine excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong political judgement and an eye for a good story – knowing when and how to engage with journalists and pitch stories. You will be able to interpret and communicate complex information, using this to frame compelling stories and craft clear and impactful communications products across a variety of mediums. Just as importantly, the successful candidate will be passionate about our work and helping to secure a fairer and greener Scotland.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community, especially from those with lived experience of disadvantage, and from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates who are currently under-represented at IPPR. Appointment will be made on merit.
The post is primarily based at IPPR Scotland’s office in Edinburgh but with some remote working and occasional travel (agreed in advance) to our London and Manchester offices for cross-organisational work. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will also consider a range of options for the successful applicant to fill the post, including spreading out the working hours. All options can be discussed at interview stage.
Application notes
Before applying, please go to our website to read the information pack that includes the job description and person specification. Or email recruitment@ippr.org quoting the job title or REF: MIO/JUL
To apply for this post we would like you to submit a personal statement of no more than 1000 words demonstrating your suitability for the role and clearly addressing each of the points in the person specification under headings. We would also like you to submit a CV. Both should be combined into one PDF document and returned to applications@ippr.org quoting the job title or REF: MIO/JUL. Please also complete IPPR’s equal opportunities monitoring form.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is midnight Wednesday 9 August 2023.
Interviews, which will include a written task, are expected to take place w/c 21 August 2023.
Top job! National Policy Lead – Children and Young People
- Full time or Part time
- £34,877 – £40,023
- Hybrid: Edinburgh
- Closing 16th January 2026
The role
Scottish Women’s Aid has an opportunity to join their Policy team. This is an exciting position where the role holder will be responsible for working on policy relating to children and young people and domestic abuse, violence against women and girls, and gender related topics. They will work closely with the Membership, Training and Communications teams.
Background
Scottish Women’s Aid is Scotland’s leading voluntary sector organisation working to end domestic abuse and promoting effective policy and practice responses for women, children and young people who experience domestic abuse. We are the umbrella organisation for 32 autonomous Women’s Aid groups delivering direct services to women, children and young people across Scotland.
What you’ll do
Working across third sector organisations you will build and maintain relationships to input to policy and influencing, as SWA as well as jointly with others. You will maintain good working relationships with civil servants, challenging ideas and find solutions where necessary.
The role includes inputting to and submitting consultation responses, researching and writing briefings, preparing for SWA to providence evidence in parliament, keep our communications team up to date with policy inputs and changes, and input to good practice stemming from policy changes. All of these roles, requiring great working relationships across the organisation, but especially with Membership, Training and Communications.
What We Need
We’re looking for someone with experience in a similar role, with specific knowledge of the Scottish policy landscape and the potential that offers. We’re looking for someone who can work across domestic abuse as it relates to children and young people – examples include the Children’s Hearing system, child contact, the welfare system. We ask that you’re a self-starter, ready to apply these skills creatively to meet our strategic priorities. Excellent written and verbal communications skills go without saying: you’ll be skilled in the ability to engage confidently with a range of different audiences, and be adept at writing to suit them, working alongside colleagues across SWA and our members across the country.
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Knowledge of the Scottish policy landscape
- Awareness and understanding of the feminist analysis of domestic abuse and the impact on women, children and young people
- Demonstrable track record of developing and writing successfully in a policy context
- Highly organised approach to effective planning, delivery and the development of applicable tasks
- Drive to make a difference in a fast moving time of policy
Location
Blend of home working and office, based in Rose Street, Edinburgh or can be entirely home based anywhere in the UK. Please talk to us about your flexible working requirements!
What we offer
There are many reasons to work for Scottish Women’s Aid. We have a great working culture and our mission and vision attracts a brilliant staff team. Your hard work is rewarded with a package of support and benefits including:
- Flexible working - We offer flexible hybrid working options for the majority of our employees. Some posts are eligible for full-time homeworking. We also offer flexibility for staff and work/life balance through a number of flexible working options such as flexi time, condensed hours, job sharing.
- Pay - SWA are a Living wage employer, our pay and grading system offers a competitive starting salary and yearly progression.
- Annual Leave - We offer a full-time annual leave entitlement of 30 days (210 hours) per year plus 10 Public Holiday days (70 hours) per year. Leave is accrued at the rate of 3.33 days (23.3 hours) per month.
- Pension - SWA believes it's important that we help you save for your retirement so access to Nest pension scheme is given to all eligible employees. SWA contributes 10% of gross contractual earnings on the provision that the employee contributes a minimum of 3% towards their pension contributions.
- Learning and Development - SWA supports and develops staff to ensure they have the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities. There is an internal schedule of training on key skills and knowledge relevant to all staff. There is also scope to attend ad hoc training for employees who are working to develop specific skills.
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay - SWA offers staff who meet the criteria for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) an enhanced maternity pay of 20 weeks on full pay and 20 weeks on half pay.
- Wellbeing - As part of SWA’s commitment to staff wellbeing, staff are offered access to a confidential 24/7 health and Wellbeing service with AIG which provides confidential advice, counselling and legal support to all staff, and where applicable, immediate family members.
- Bike 2 Work - An interest-free loan to purchase a bike, can be arranged up to the value of £1,000.
- Edinburgh Leisure Gym Subsidies - Edinburgh based staff are able to access Edinburgh Leisure facilities for the reduced price of £1 per session.
POSITIVE ACTION
Applications will be accepted from women only under Schedule 9, part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Scottish Women’s Aid is an equal opportunities employer, all women, including women with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, may apply for women-only roles.
SWA are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the people we serve.
We are taking positive action to address an under-representation of minoritised and marginalised women within our workforce. We offer Disabled and racially minoritised women the option of requesting that their application is considered under the terms of our Guaranteed Interview Schemes. You will be asked if you wish to be considered when you complete our application form.
If you would like to discuss the job or any adjustments, whether due to disability or any other reason, please contact us on recruitment@womensaid.scot or on the phone on 0131 226 6606.
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Executive Director of Youth & Enterprise
- Full time
- £40,000 – £50,000
- On site: Edinburgh
- Closing 26th December 2025
Muirhouse Youth Development Group (MYDG) are seeking an Executive Director of Youth & Enterprise. As Director you will collaborate with the MYDG Board of trustees to develop organisational strategies, ensure the highest safety standards are in place and followed. Ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures, oversee the financial aspects, including fundraising and budget management of both the youth development work and social enterprise. You will raise the profile of MYDG in the community build strong relationships with stakeholders, and act as an inspiring role model for both young people and staff
About the role:
Muirhouse Youth Development Group is a young person focused community Charity. We deliver high quality youth work, providing experiential education programmes, personal and social development, skills acquisition programmes and vocational qualifications. MYDG exists to support young people at key points in their life - Organisation for all, no matter who you are, where you are at, where you have come from and where you are going. We strive to be a fully diverse organisation working with our community to ensure this is woven throughout our way of work.
Key responsibilities:
Financial Leadership
- Fully accountable for the entire funding cycle, ensuring organisational sustainability. Must be able to generate large funds across multi-year, short-term and social enterprise income streams.
Strategic Management
- Develop, implement and lead the organisation into the future.
Manage Team & Stakeholders
- Build, Develop, Lead and manage a strong team to achieve MYDG’s Goals. Ensuring HR compliance and strong governance are in place. Acting as an inspiring role model, being the face of the charity.
Essential Experience
To be successful in this role , you will have skills and experience in the following areas;
- Executive Financial Leadership: A verifiable track record of personally securing and managing in annual funding from diverse sources, including complex multi-year grants, philanthropic trusts, and earned income streams.
- Social Enterprise Development: Demonstrated success in developing, launching, and scaling a commercial venture or social enterprise (e.g., outdoor centre, hospitality, or training arm), including full accountability for business planning, market analysis, and sales/marketing strategy.
- Strategic Youth Sector Leadership: Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role within a youth, community, or third-sector organisation, demonstrating the ability to set and achieve strategic goals and drive impact in a community-focused environment.
- People & Governance Management: Extensive experience leading and motivating multi-disciplinary teams (staff, sessional workers, and volunteers), with a deep, practical understanding of HR compliance, safeguarding, and Board governance within a Scottish charity context.
- Stakeholder & Partnership Management: A proven ability to act as the public face of an organisation, representing its values, and building high-level relationships with funders, community leaders, partners, and political stakeholders.
Job specification
Development of Organisation and Team:
- Collaborate with the MYDG Board to develop strategies and operational plans aligned with the organisation’s vision and strategic priorities.
- Shape, implement, and lead the successful execution of MYDG, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Strengthen MYDG’s capacity to meet aims and objectives while maintaining a sustainable structure.
- Maximise the potential of the MYDG Team, sessional staff, volunteers, and young people.
- Oversee the management of MYDG staff, ensuring accurate staff records and financial documentation are maintained through effective delegation.
- Represent and promote MYDG’s history, present context, and future aspirations to ensure the organisation’s brand is widely known and clearly understood.
- Ensure resources within MYDG are effectively connected to outcomes for young people.
Management of MYDG Team:
- Lead, manage, and supervise the MYDG Team.
- Provide guidance and support to MYDG’s Youth Development Team to ensure strategic outcomes are met.
- Oversee staff scheduling and manage hours for the Team.
- Provide the MYDG Board with monthly leadership reports and relevant updates to ensure strong governance and effective management of the organisation, meeting all legal, financial, and ethical responsibilities.
- Facilitate clear communication across the organisation and take responsibility for maintaining the health of key partnerships and relationships with external stakeholders.
- Identify training needs and opportunities for the team and oversee the implementation of annual staff appraisals and development plans.
- Act as an inspiring role model for both young people and staff.
- Delegate tasks appropriately and ensure accountability.
HR Procedures and Policies:
- Ensure policies and procedures are current, relevant, and adhered to, leading by example while ensuring legal compliance across the organisation.
- Manage and oversee recruitment processes for MYDG staff.
- Handle / Oversee HR responsibilities, including contracts, staff appraisals, development plans, timesheets, holidays, PVG checks, and expenses.
- Ensure adherence to health and safety, & well-being standards for all staff, volunteers & users.
- Keep the staff handbook updated and ensure its proper implementation.
Partnership Work:
- Lead and manage partnership initiatives for MYDG.
- Maintain regular communication with key partners.
- Identify and foster new partnership opportunities.
- Ensure partnership agreements are prioritised, maintained, and adhered to.
- Build and maintain relationships with funders and partners, ensuring alignment with agreements.
Funding and Budgeting Responsibilities:
- Fully accountable for the entire funding cycle of MYDG’s work, including identifying funding sources, applications, and commissioning.
- Ensure the Team meets its key outcomes in line with MYDG’s goals and funder expectations.
- Provide an overview of all finances in collaboration with the finance administrator.
- Oversee and review funding proposals submitted by the Youth Development Team.
Social Enterprise & Commercial Leadership
- Lead the development, implementation, and review of comprehensive business plans for the Pilton Retreat social enterprise to ensure profitability and sustained mission delivery.
- Direct all market research activities to identify potential customers and market niches for the centre, ensuring competitive and sustainable pricing.
- Develop and oversee a robust marketing and sales strategy to drive revenue and promote the social and ethical value of choosing MYDG's enterprise services.
- Ensure the commercial strategy adheres to best practices in social enterprise traits (i.e., profits are reinvested into the youth development mission) and builds long-term financial sustainability for the entire organisation.
- Actively manage the balance between commercial success and the maintenance of high-quality community outcomes and youth engagement.
Children’s Services Manager (Maternity Leave Cover)
- Full time
- £32,287
- Hybrid: Edinburgh, office (60% min) and from home base.
- Closing 22nd December 2025
Positive Help is a well-established, third sector service provider – a registered charity – based in central Edinburgh. We have almost 40 years’ experience of supporting adults, children and families living with /affected by HIV and or Hepatitis C.
With the support of a cohort of trained and supervised volunteers, we provide a range of services to help people who have complex needs live fulfilling, healthy lives in the community.
We are now looking for a Temporary Children’s Services Manager with proven experience of working in a leadership role to join our dedicated team to provide maternity cover for the existing postholder as we further develop the organisation. We work from our centrally situated office in Edinburgh, although there is the option to work from home depending on business need.
The ideal candidate will have the skills and experience we need to help us deliver our children’s services – specifically Befriending, and Study Buddies Services - and the wider organisation effectively and efficiently and have a genuine interest in this very rewarding work.
As a member of our leadership team, you will play a key role in ensuring that children and their parents receive the right support from us and others timeously, and that volunteers are appropriately matched and well supported / supervised to maintain a high standard of practice and satisfaction.
You will be outcome focussed and have a keen interest in demonstrating the impact of services as well as working across boundaries and developing and sustaining positive relationships with internal colleagues, volunteers, partner agencies, referrers and a wide range of stakeholders.
You will have experience of managing or coordinating projects inspiring people to work together towards shared goals. You will be a problem-solver with an empathic approach, and excellent communication skills.
Our work can be challenging though highly rewarding. Therefore, you will need to be motivated, ambitious and self-organised, and be prepared to play a part in our on-going organisational development.
In return, we offer you a supportive working environment, 25 days annual leave and 10 public holidays (both pro rata if you work less than full time), plus an employer contributory pension scheme.
Our operational hours are 9am to 5pm. However, occasional work on Monday to Thursday (up to 6:30 pm) and Saturday (up to 3:00 pm) is required on a rotational basis as part of our telephone on-call rota to support volunteers. There are also occasional volunteer training sessions in the evenings and on Saturdays. All such out-of-hours working is planned and shared across the team.
It’s a great time to join Positive Help and be part of our journey toward an even brighter future. If you are excited by what you have read so far and think you have what it takes to be an outstanding member of our team, albeit on a temporary basis, then please read our job specification for more information, and look at our website.
We look forward to receiving your application.
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Do you have a good understanding of social and/or economic policy issues and a proven ability to undertake policy development or campaigning work on specific issues in a wider context? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Senior Advocacy Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping us to deliver positive change for those affected by the housing emergency in Scotland.
About the role
Your main focus will be to lead Shelter Scotland in effectively advocating for the structural policy changes required to end the housing emergency, driving forward our strategic goals to secure more social homes, strengthen housing rights, and build a lasting movement for change. You’ll develop and communicate clear, evidence-based policy recommendations – drawing on research, lived experience, and sector insight – to influence key stakeholders across government, parliament, and beyond. You’ll commission and manage external research, lead stakeholder events, and work collaboratively across teams to ensure our policy work supports public affairs, media, and operational activity. You’ll also line manage an Advocacy Officer, supporting their development and overseeing their performance.
Role specifics
You’ll bring strong experience in crafting high-impact communications that influence decision-makers and persuade key stakeholders. With a solid understanding of Scotland’s political landscape and public policy processes – particularly within the Scottish Government and Parliament – you’ll have a proven track record of driving change through effective advocacy and relationship-building at a senior level. You’ll be proactive in spotting opportunities to influence policy, responding strategically to external developments. Alongside this, you’ll have experience managing externally funded projects, including budgeting and reporting, and will be confident leading and motivating a team to achieve shared goals.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
The Advocacy Team is part of Shelter Scotland’s Communications and Advocacy Department and is responsible for developing the charity’s policy positions, research plan, and public affairs and professional stakeholder engagement.
The Advocacy team works closely with colleagues in Community Advice and our Telephone and Online Advice services to capture evidence of how Scotland’s broken and biased housing system is impacting communities, and colleagues in Communications and Engagement to translate this evidence into compelling public campaigns and fundraising appeals. The team have led the organisation on developing an anti-racism evidence base, the economic and social benefits of social housing investment and the case for a human rights-based approach to meeting housing need.
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