Background

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a charity which exists to celebrate and share the power of writers, their ideas, and the words they craft to illuminate, challenge, and inspire.

Since 1983, we have welcomed millions of visitors into conversations with the world’s greatest and most exciting emerging writers, thinkers, artists, and performers. Iconic figures such as Margaret Atwood, Alain de Botton, Oliver Burkeman, Noam Chomsky, Seamus Heaney, Kazuo Ishiguro, Toni Morrison, Arundhati Roy, Salman Rushdie, and Benjamin Zephaniah have appeared on our stages over the years, alongside a wide range of debut and early career authors.

Across the hundreds of events in our Adults, Young Adults, Schools, and Children’s programmes, the Book Festival offers audiences aged from 0 to 100 an active opportunity to engage with new and different perspectives on the world, create lasting memories through storytelling, fill their minds with fascinating knowledge, and discover the creative secrets of writers and artists.

We strive to be a safe and supported environment for people to have difficult discussions and lively debates in an atmosphere of curiosity and consideration, where different opinions can be respectfully shared. We are proud to platform voices and stories which are often overlooked, and are committed to breaking down barriers to access for those who may not initially consider themselves as a Book Festival audience.

Beyond August, the Book Festival is a year-round force for literary engagement. Working with partners in the local community – including schools, libraries, prisons, hospitals, and other community hubs – we foster a lifelong love of reading, embrace the life-changing potential of creativity, and develop engaged, informed audiences of all backgrounds and ages.

2025 was a bumper year for the Festival, with significant growth in site visits, ticket sales, and new audience members, all of which we aim to build upon in 2026, particularly through delivery of a new website and ticketing system, as well as grassroots audience development initiatives, and data-informed marketing campaigns.

The team

The Book Festival has a permanent staff of 25 throughout the year, expanding over the spring and summer to a peak of around 150 staff during the Festival. All staff members play a role in the ongoing development of the organisation through several full team planning and debrief meetings during the year.

The Development team is made up of 7 roles: Development Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships Manager, Sponsorship & Partnerships Officer, Development Manager (Trusts & Foundations), Development Manager (Individual Giving), Events & Digital Marketing Officer, and Development Assistant.

The role

Purpose of Role

To provide essential administrative and supporter care support across the Development Team, ensuring efficient use of the CRM system, excellent service for donors, members and supporters. This role is central to maintaining accurate data, delivering outstanding supporter care, and supporting income generation across the whole Development Team.

Background

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a charity which exists to celebrate and share the power of writers, their ideas, and the words they craft to illuminate, challenge, and inspire.

Since 1983, we have welcomed millions of visitors into conversations with the world’s greatest and most exciting emerging writers, thinkers, artists, and performers. Iconic figures such as Margaret Atwood, Alain de Botton, Oliver Burkeman, Noam Chomsky, Seamus Heaney, Kazuo Ishiguro, Toni Morrison, Arundhati Roy, Salman Rushdie, and Benjamin Zephaniah have appeared on our stages over the years, alongside a wide range of debut and early career authors.

Across the hundreds of events in our Adults, Young Adults, Schools, and Children’s programmes, the Book Festival offers audiences aged from 0 to 100 an active opportunity to engage with new and different perspectives on the world, create lasting memories through storytelling, fill their minds with fascinating knowledge, and discover the creative secrets of writers and artists.

We strive to be a safe and supported environment for people to have difficult discussions and lively debates in an atmosphere of curiosity and consideration, where different opinions can be respectfully shared. We are proud to platform voices and stories which are often overlooked, and are committed to breaking down barriers to access for those who may not initially consider themselves as a Book Festival audience.

Beyond August, the Book Festival is a year-round force for literary engagement. Working with partners in the local community – including schools, libraries, prisons, hospitals, and other community hubs – we foster a lifelong love of reading, embrace the life-changing potential of creativity, and develop engaged, informed audiences of all backgrounds and ages.

2025 was a bumper year for the Festival, with significant growth in site visits, ticket sales, and new audience members, all of which we aim to build upon in 2026, particularly through delivery of a new website and ticketing system, as well as grassroots audience development initiatives, and data-informed marketing campaigns.

The team

The Book Festival has a permanent staff of 25 throughout the year, expanding over the spring and summer to a peak of around 150 staff during the Festival. All staff members play a role in the ongoing development of the organisation through several full team planning and debrief meetings during the year.

The Development team is made up of 7 roles: Development Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships Manager, Sponsorship & Partnerships Officer, Development Manager (Trusts & Foundations), Development Manager (Individual Giving), Events & Digital Marketing Officer, and Development Assistant.

The role

Purpose of Role

To support income generation and stakeholder engagement by delivering high-quality stewardship and engagements events, and by supporting digital marketing activity for the Development Team. The role combines hands-on event coordination with creative digital communications to strengthen relationships with supporters, members, sponsors and stakeholders, and to grow the Festival’s supporter base.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Apex Scotland at a transformative moment, working alongside our newly appointed Head of People to bring our HR function back in-house and shape the future of how we support and develop our staff. As People and Payroll Officer, you’ll play a key role in launching and embedding our new people strategy, helping to create a workplace where colleagues feel valued, supported, and empowered to deliver life-changing impact every day.

By aligning our people strategy with Apex Scotland’s vision of “A Future Beyond Your Past”, you’ll be part of a dedicated People Team driving meaningful change across the organisation. Your work will not only strengthen our culture but also ensure we can continue to thrive, grow, and sustain the positive impact we have in communities across Scotland.

About you

As the People and Payroll Officer, you will bring experience in HR administration and payroll support, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. You will have handled confidential information with discretion and accuracy, supporting processes such as recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and pensions.

Our values at Apex Scotland are Believe, Respect, Empower and Support, values that we live and breathe every day both internally and externally, our new People and Payroll Officer will share our passion for demonstrating our values.?

About the charity

Apex Scotland helps people with experience of the justice system to have a future beyond their past. We see a society that values second chances, where barriers to inclusion are dismantled, and where people with justice system experience are empowered to contribute fully, shaping safer, fairer, and more compassionate communities.?

Our support includes early intervention initiatives, the provision of practical and emotional support, training and employability programmes. We understand that those we support and care for require interventions that are person centred, recognising their own individual, unique needs and circumstances.

If you believe in a future beyond someone’s past, apply to work with us today.

What we offer

• 3% Employer Pension Contribution
• Death in Service
• Enrolment to a health plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to Perkbox for discounts and offers
• Christmas closure
• Hybrid working

Street fit Scotland (SFS) is seeking a dedicated and dynamic individual to join our team as a Community Connection Volunteer Co-ordinator. This role will involve working independently and as part of a team to lead and manage and train a growing volunteer network, providing coaching, development opportunities, and nurturing connections with the local community. The successful candidate will be proactive, empathetic, and passionate about supporting people to reach their full potential.

Main Purpose of the Role

This role is central to the continued growth and development of Street Fit Scotland’s (SFS) volunteer offering. As Community Connection Volunteer Co-ordinator, you will lead with empathy, creativity, and a person-centred approach, encouraging and supporting our members to step into volunteer roles. You’ll provide inclusive, tailored support to help individuals flourish, ensuring every volunteer journey aligns with SFS’s core values of kindness and inclusion.

You’ll oversee all aspects of the volunteer function, developing meaningful roles, delivering training, nurturing development, and building a connected, supported, and empowered community.

Our main aim is to offer sessional work to volunteers when they pass the 6-month probation as we SFS values lived experience.

Key Responsibilities

As the main point of contact for all volunteers, you will be fully integrated into the heart of SFS activities, forming trusted relationships with both volunteers and wider community members. Your work will focus on meeting people where they are, understanding complex needs, offering emotional and practical support, and providing a bridge to meaningful experiences and future opportunities.

Volunteer Support & Development

• Deliver person-centred emotional and practical support to all volunteers and community members.
• Provide one-to-one and group support for community members exploring volunteering, helping them progress at their own pace.
• Design and facilitate internal training, including groupwork, inductions, policies and procedures, and skill-building sessions.
• Develop and share innovative tools and resources to support volunteer engagement and learning.
• Supervise and support the personal development of volunteers, helping them grow in confidence, responsibility, and pre-employability.
• Carry out continuous evaluation to monitor volunteer progress and impact.
• Coach and mentor members through tailored development journeys, helping individuals identify their strengths and contribute meaningfully.

Volunteer Management & Coordination

• Manage and coordinate all SFS volunteers (internal and external), ensuring people are matched to roles that reflect their skills, interests, and availability.
• Identify new opportunities for members to volunteer within SFS, co-creating role descriptions where appropriate.
• Assess individuals’ readiness and suitability for specific roles, offering additional support as needed.
• Oversee PVG processes and ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
• Build relationships with external volunteer services, such as Volunteer Scotland to recruit external volunteers, and stay up to date with relevant training and guidance.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings and service development discussions.

Community Engagement & Integration

• Participate in weekly core, stretch, and strength sessions, as well as community lunchtime drop-ins, to build relationships and encourage engagement.
• Accompany members to SFS sessions to foster community connection and shared experience.
• Support external training pathways (e.g. food hygiene, SDF training, or other personal development courses).

Operational Responsibilities

• Share responsibility for maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming community base.
• Ensure SFS equipment (computers, desks, shared spaces) is cared for and cleaned when necessary.
• Wear PPE when required and complete relevant health and safety training, including food hygiene certification.
• Be an active team player; supporting colleagues, contributing to team culture, and helping shape a positive working environment.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience

• Knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting members at SFS Working with individuals affected by homelessness, addiction, and trauma.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, taking initiative while contributing to a supportive team environment.
• Knowledge of safe practices including adult and child protection.
• Strong demonstration of people skills, with a passion for helping others reach their potential.
• In-depth understanding of volunteers from recruitment and training to supervision and support.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect meaningfully across diverse backgrounds.
• A genuine commitment to creating inclusive, empowering spaces where everyone feels valued and heard.
• Highly organised, with strong computer skills and record management.
• Group work skills, experience of delivering workshops or sessions that involve team building exercises.

Desirable Experience

• Background in training or community education, with a focus on personal development / Experience in coaching, mentoring, or life coaching.

Additional Information

• Reports to: Michelle Reilly, CEO
• Responsible for: SFS equipment, the volunteer team, and maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming shared space
• Base: SFS Community Hub, 19 south clerk street, EH8 9JD

Values

• Empathy - listen to and understand an individual’s needs and circumstances
• Treat everyone at SFS with dignity respect and kindness
• Take a non-judgemental approach
• A commitment to anti-discriminatory practice
• Recognise and uphold boundaries