Top job! Mission Manager, A Fairer Start
- Full time
- £50,000
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Closing 31st October 2022
- Advertised from 11th October 2022
- Plus excellent benefits
Role
We are recruiting for a Mission Manager, A Fairer Start (Scotland)
About Nesta
We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.
For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.
Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk.
A Fairer Start Mission
Our mission is to narrow the outcome gap between children growing up in disadvantage and the national average.
The circumstances of our childhood set us on a trajectory that affects the rest of our lives, with children born into disadvantage being far more likely to experience poorer health, lower earnings, a shorter life expectancy and lower levels of happiness than their peers. Taken together, the early years (ages 0–5) and secondary school period (ages 11–16) account for the development of 80 per cent of this divergence in life outcomes. We know that investing in early childhood can vastly improve outcomes for our poorest children. Yet progress to narrow the gap in early years has stalled, with trends once again worsening.
Our goal is that, by 2030, Scotland and the UK will have eliminated the school readiness gap between those born into deprivation and their peers, with similar gains at age 16 among students receiving free school meals.
The role
This role leads on the scoping, design and delivery of Nesta’s work in Scotland on our Fairer Start mission. You will work proactively to deliver active projects as well as develop a pipeline of partnerships, collaborations and business development opportunities in support of our work and in line with our strategic areas of focus for the mission.
You'll take what you know from your existing experience of early years and education and scope innovative projects to help achieve our mission goals. You'll lead on recruiting Scottish partners to work with to test those ideas, drawing from your existing networks in the field.
You will work with our Head of Nesta Scotland (based in Edinburgh) and Mission Director (based in London) as well as colleagues across Nesta’s innovation practices (like data science, behavioural science, design and the arts) to pull together multi-disciplinary teams to help improve local outcomes in our mission area and deliver demonstrable impact.
As the point person for this mission in Scotland, this is definitely a role for a proven self-starter, someone who likes getting their hands dirty and can combine rigorous research with active project management.
As a bridge between Nesta Scotland and the central Fairer Start mission team in London, this role will play a critical role in establishing effective ways of working across teams to ensure the AFS mission has a strong and active presence in Scotland and that learning from projects in the rest of the UK informs our work here, and vice versa.
Alongside these core duties you will have the opportunity to support the mission more broadly, either through delivery of projects across the UK and/or through working as a mission representative for critical organisational priorities such as Nesta’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
This role will be expected to:
• Lead on the scoping, design and delivery of practical innovation projects within this mission field in Scotland.
• Scope new projects for the mission in Scotland and set up effective teams to deliver this work.
• Direct and work on the end-to-end project cycle, for example:
o Overseeing, conducting, and reviewing the outputs of primary research. For example: interviews, observations, data analysis.
o Leading on the establishment of a project theory of change to explain how an intended outcome would be achieved through a particular solution.
o Leading on identifying, scoping and selecting appropriate solutions/projects for implementation and evaluation.
o Working with colleagues from Nesta’s practices to devise an appropriate evaluation design for any solutions being tested and ensuring the technical details are fit for purpose in the local operating context.
o Coaching partners through each innovation or prototyping cycle and the wider change needed inside the organisation to make it successful.
o Owning relationships with external stakeholders and partners in Scotland to make sure they love working with Nesta.
• Critically assess whether live projects are on track, and suggest / put in place mechanisms to realign the work plan as necessary.
• Quickly get to grips with the Scotland specific context that mission projects take place in. Working across a variety of projects means you will need to be able to develop contextual competence fast and build effective working relationships with key local partners and stakeholders.
• Proactively develop a pipeline of partnerships, collaborations or business development opportunities in support of this mission in Scotland.
• Provide line management to team members as necessary, both permanent staff and other team members
The person
Essential
• Demonstrable experience delivering relevant programmes, projects or research work specifically and directly in Scotland in areas related to our Fairer Start mission focus.
• Research skills: you understand the fundamentals of exploratory research and evaluation.
• A detailed understanding of the Scottish early years operating environment in relation to the Fairer Start mission.
• Experience in the practice or policy context for the A Fairer Start mission
• Demonstrable project/ programme management skills: you can proactively plan work, execute against the plan, identify and act on risks and issues, ensure that key stakeholders are engaged throughout, and keep track of spend against budget.
• Delivering high impact projects and programmes using innovation methods and/or familiarity working with agile project management methodologies.
• Stakeholder management skills: you can present ideas persuasively and navigate complex stakeholder discussion to keep focussed on impact, maintain project momentum, build strong working relationships, and drive better work through including more voices in the planning, designing, delivery and criticism of it.
Desirable
• Facilitation skills, e.g. leading workshops
• Excellent writing skills to tailor content to different audiences
• Public speaking
• Feel comfortable working alongside and commissioning colleagues with skills in behavioural science; design thinking; experimental/quasi-experimental design; data science; arts and culture methods.
What we offer
Salary: £50k plus array of benefits, including health care plans, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more
Location: This role is based out of Nesta’s Scotland office in Edinburgh. We offer flexible working to fit around your personal commitments or lifestyle (including part time hours, compressed hours and early start/early finish days etc) as well as remote working for part of the week, so you could be based anywhere but we would expect you to work at least 2 days a week in our Edinburgh office, and up to 2 days a month in our London HQ.
Term: Permanent
Hours: This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do.
Reports to: Head of Nesta Scotland
Application notes
Making an application
To apply for this role, please submit your application before 8:00am on the 31st of October 2022.
Interviews will take place w/c the 7th of November 2022.
To apply, please visit https://www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/mission-manager-a-fairer-start-scotland/
At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.
We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Top job! Strategic Partnerships and Delivery Lead
- Full time
- £40,000 – £45,000
- Hybrid: Edinburgh
- Closing 16th December 2025
We’re on a journey to create fairer communities by facilitating 10 million social entrepreneurs globally by 2030. Do you want to help make this a reality?
We’re seeking a qualified and experienced leader to join our team as our Strategic Partnerships and Development Lead.
Reporting to the Head of Adult Learning, you will lead and expand the Academy’s work, delivering on contracted programmes and driving new business opportunities.
In this role, you will shape the growth of our learning offering by forging impactful partnerships, managing client relationships, and overseeing high-quality programme delivery. You will take responsibility for meeting ambitious targets while ensuring our work continues to create meaningful and measurable impact.
Playing a central role in strategic planning you will manage the team to deliver operational plans that maximise performance, reach, and programme effectiveness. This requires an effective line manager, who champions team wellbeing and provides mentoring and coaching to help them build their skills and capacity.
You will support strategy execution, sales activity, facilitator engagement, process improvement, financial oversight, quality assurance, contract compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and client account management—helping to secure the long-term sustainability and success of the Academy and being a key contributor to organisational development.
Having the right mindset, attitude and approach is as important for us as having the right experience and skills. We appreciate that the best person might not have all the listed criteria yet so if you think your experience, skills and attitude will help you to make a great contribution in this role and you have the right mindset, we would welcome an application from you.
Organisation profile:
At the Social Enterprise Academy, we believe social entrepreneurs play an essential role in changing the world.
We strengthen their role in local communities through transformational learning programmes that will increase their community impact.
Our programmes are accredited, responsive to learner needs, and are delivered by experienced Facilitators who are social change leaders themselves.
Since 2004, we have delivered over 1,900 learning programmes to 28,000+ learners in over 30 countries. We have also engaged over 55,000 young people around the world, using social enterprise as a tool to help them reach their full potential and create positive change in their communities.
Community Support Coordinator (Lothian)
- Part time
- £24,798 pro-rata
- Hybrid: Home with Regular travel across Lothian
- Closing 9th January 2026
Every day people with chest, heart and stroke conditions are leaving hospital scared and alone. You can be part of our mission to make sure that there is no life half lived in Scotland.
By joining Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) as a Community Support Services Coordinator you can be the difference between people just surviving and really living.
You will be part of Scotland’s leading health charity providing support to people with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live life to the full again. Our Community Healthcare Support Service provides access to a range of supported self management and community recovery services to support people across Scotland to manage their health as well as possible and adjust to life after a diagnosis of a chest or heart condition or after a stroke.
The Coordinator plays a vital role in delivering Community Support services across the Lothian area for people living with chest, heart, and stroke conditions, as well as Long Covid.
They are responsible for leading a high-quality, person-centred service that empowers individuals to build confidence, manage their condition, and work towards their own goals. This includes the recruitment, retention, and line management of volunteers who provide goal-oriented and time-limited support, helping people take positive steps towards greater independence and self-management.
The Coordinator will also develop strong local connections and a detailed community map to support effective signposting, ensuring people can access the right support at the right time.
CHSS employees enjoy a variety of organisational benefits including: Company pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, company sick pay, employee welfare support and life assurance.
CHSS also supports flexible recruitment through Working Families and we are “Happy to Talk Flexible Working”.
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to a PVGcheck. CHSS is committed to equality of opportunity and to providing a service which is free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. We therefore aim to ensure that no applicant, volunteer or member of staff is unfairly treated on the grounds of offending background.
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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.
Every day people with chest, heart and stroke conditions are leaving hospital scared and alone. You can be part of our mission to make sure that there is no life half lived in Scotland.
By joining Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) as eLearning Officer you can help to be the difference between people just surviving and really living.
You will be part of Scotland’s leading health charity providing support to people with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live life to the full again. Working as part of the Professional Engagement team, the CHSS eLearning service exists to ensure that people affected by, and those caring for, people with these conditions are supported with information they want, when they need it, and in a way that is appropriate for them.
As the CHSS eLearning Officer, within the professional engagement team, you will be responsible for supporting the processes involved in reviewing, developing and maintaining CHSS’s portfolio of eLearning resources.
The post holder will collaborate with the appropriate internal and external professionals, service users and advisory groups to ensure the content of all preexisting and new eLearning resources remain current, and evidence based.
For further information about the role, please contact Mairi Whiston, Health Information and eLearning Clinical Lead, Email: mairi.whiston@chss.org.uk.
CHSS employees enjoy a variety of organisational benefits including: company pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, company sick pay, employee welfare support and life assurance.
CHSS also supports flexible recruitment through Working Families and we are “Happy to Talk Flexible Working”.
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to a Basic Disclosure check. CHSS is committed to equality of opportunity and to providing a service which is free from unfair and unlawful discrimination.
We therefore aim to ensure that no applicant, volunteer or member of staff is unfairly treated on the grounds of offending background.
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