Firefly International was founded 30 years ago as a children’s arts project using creativity and collaboration to overcome the deep wounds of civil war in Bosnia. Since then Firefly has grown to support children in other parts of the world affected by war and its aftermath.

Firefly International, now working with local partners to support Bosnian, Syrian and Palestinian children and young people, is looking for a new Director to lead the charity. This is an exciting opportunity to help Firefly realise its ambitions to support its partners to extend and develop their programmes and to secure their sustainability.

Organisation Profile

Firefly International was established as an arts-based playgroup, as civil war was coming to an end in Bosnia, to bring Bosnia’s Croat, Serb and Muslim children together. The founder, Ellie Maxwell, was a student at the University of Edinburgh at the time. Firefly still works in Bosnia, supporting its locally registered partner, Svitac (Firefly in local language) which is based in Brcko in the north-east, where the population is divided between the three ethnicities. It runs daily classes for pre-school children, outreach sessions with high schools and a youth group for the 16+ age group. All activities aim to build tolerance between different ethnicities and tackle the ignorance that fuels hatred and fear.

Since 2016 it has also been working with a Syrian partner organisation, delivering trauma-informed education. Initially it was working just in the Syrian refugee communities in Turkey. Later, it began work in northern Syria and more recently it has begun teaching in and around Latakia in western Syria. This is the largest of our three programme areas and the one with the most pressing demands for expansion, in response to the gaps in education in Syria today.

Until 7th October 2023 we partnered with a child mental health centre in Gaza. We have had to close the centre but aim to return to Gaza when we can. Meantime, we partner with an Egyptian group who help child medical evacuees from Gaza with therapeutic and educational activities.

Firefly is a long-established charity, small but with a long reach and ambitious goals. It is distinctive in its stated aim of remaining with its partners for as long as it is needed and useful. It encourages the development of projects by local staff in response to local needs. Its income and scope have grown considerably in recent years. It is driven by the need to be as effective as it can be, supporting partners in their aspirations for the children and young people of their own communities.

The Role

The Director is one of a team of three, the other team members being the Projects Director and the Finance & Admin Manager (both part time). There may be capacity to recruit a fourth, dependent on funding. There is an active Board of Trustees. The Director reports to the Chair who is Edinburgh-based. The Director has prime responsibility (supported by Trustees) for ensuring that the charity can raise sufficient funds to meet the funding needs of its partners in Bosnia and Syria and its own in Edinburgh. The Director will play an important role in working with the Trustees to develop and then implement Firefly’s strategy for 2026/2027 to 2029/2030. There is also the ambassadorial aspect of representing Firefly in public fora and highlighting the long-lasting impact of war on children.

Children First is Scotland’s national children’s charity. We stand up for every child because all children should have a safe childhood. We protect children from harm and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services.

In this role, you’ll:

• Lead the development and delivery of high-impact influence and campaigning activity that drives policy and practice change for children and families.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across communications, policy, services and fundraising to deliver bold, integrated campaigns.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, partners, influencers and decision-makers.
• Ensure campaigns are informed by evidence, data and the lived experience of children and families.
• Provide leadership and direction across policy and participation, creating a culture of connection, accountability and impact.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Significant experience leading influence, campaigning, policy or public affairs work at a senior level.
• A proven track record of delivering campaigns that achieve meaningful change.
• Experience of leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders and partners.
• A collaborative, values-led approach and commitment to children’s rights and inclusion.

What we offer:

• A workplace with values of with love, with purpose and with strength
• 40 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Pension scheme and wellbeing support
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Access to Westfield Health, giving colleagues and their families confidential counselling support, wellbeing resources, and access to health and lifestyle benefits to support physical and mental wellbeing.
• Blue Light card discount
• A Fair Work accredited workplace

Our Values

Living our values, you will help create a workplace where our people can thrive, ensuring we deliver the best possible support to children and families.

With love, we put children first.

With purpose, we transform lives together.

With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.