Have you considered joining a Board? Maybe The Time Is Now!

Do you have self-awareness and independence of thought? Can you analyse key information? Are you performance orientated? Can you communicate well with others and form stakeholder relationships? Have you got experience in a leadership role and are used to making difficult decisions?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We are looking for committed individuals from a variety of professional and diverse backgrounds to join our Board to be part of a people centred organisation on an exciting change journey. Supported by technology and data, we are transforming how we work and deliver services to our customers. We would particularly welcome applications from those with housing or legal experience and groups who are often under-represented to strengthen diversity across our Board and be reflective of the society we live in today.

At Trust we are values driven

• We love to learn
• We believe in better
• We are here for each other

If you share in our values and have the time and expertise to support us in our efforts, as a sector leading charitable organisation, to make a difference to people’s lives, we would love to hear from you. Good digital skills are required for the role.

What you will get in return

• Great professional development
• Training opportunities
• Enhance your network and knowledge
• Satisfaction in giving something back
• Out of pocket expenses (such as travel expenses and a contribution to childcare for attending meetings)

Time Commitment

• 6 x in-person Board meetings per year, usually held in Edinburgh on a Thursday mid-afternoon (with pre-reading of board papers in advance of meetings)
• 2 in-person strategic away days (taking place over 2 days with an overnight stay)
• Annual visits to housing developments across Scotland
• Option to attend sector and other events throughout the year

Reporting to:Training and Employability Lead

Duration of Project: A two-year fixed-term contract to start, with the option to renew thereafter, subject to the availability of funds to support the role.

Key working relationship:

Internal: Senior Management Team and project coordinators. Please refer to our organogram.

External: Service users, funders, and partner agencies.

Purpose of the role

This post aims to support New Scots in their employment and training needs. It aims to help New Scot service users access work, volunteering, and training opportunities that match their skills, qualifications, and interests. The post holder will collaborate with the existing Employment and Training team to provide individual holistic coaching and guidance to our service users. They will also assist with planning, delivering, and evaluating group workshops that prepare service users for employment.

Additional information

Please note that you must already be eligible to work in the UK to be employed by The Welcoming Association.

The post holder will work from The Welcoming’s office on 20/1 Westfield Avenue, Edinburgh, EH11 2TT.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of The Welcoming. We welcome applications from BAME people, applicants with lived experience as refugees, or those who are or have worked with refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable adults.

The honorary treasurer is a key volunteer role within our governance structure which aims to make a real difference to members in Scotland. As our honorary treasurer you will work closely with the chair of the business management and finance committee to advise the trustee board on all aspects of business management and finance matters related to the work of Girlguiding Scotland.

Your profile

This role is open to current and non-members of Girlguiding.

At Girlguiding Scotland, striving to be an inclusive and impactful organisation is at the heart of what we do. We recognise that being a great volunteer isn’t just about the skills that you can bring to the table, but also the unique perspectives that come from your background and life experiences.

The key skills and attributes that we’re looking for are:

• CA, CIMA, ACCA, ACA or other similar qualification
• Membership of Girlguiding, or willingness to become a member
• Experience of preparing budgets and forecasting, management accounting and statutory financial reporting
• Experience of reporting to board level, audit and knowledge of charity SORP (FRS102)
• Experience of setting and monitoring investment strategies and supervising the performance of a significant investment portfolio
• Experience of working with volunteers would be an advantage
• Ability to work and join meetings remotely using a variety of technology and the ability to access papers and information online (instructions and support will be given)
• Ability to think of the bigger picture for the benefit of members and potential members across Scotland
• Confident to speak up and the ability to challenge others in a constructive manner
• Capacity to be proactive in research and in reviewing papers
• Eligibility to become a trustee in Scotland (you can find information about who cannot be a charity trustee on oscr.org.uk)
• Approachable, open minded and flexible, with the ability to work with others
• Excited to be part of shaping the future and responding to challenges
• Capacity to be proactive and involved in building relationships with key volunteers and staff to facilitate the work between meetings
• Committed to our values

Would you like to make a difference?

Children First is Scotland’s National Children’s Charity.

Our vision is that all children in Scotland grow up safe and well in strong, resilient families and communities and we work tirelessly to make sure that happens. By getting alongside children and their families to offer practical, emotional and financial help we uphold the rights of children to be raised in their own families. The children we support have to overcome many challenges; poverty, isolation, trauma, violence and abuse but we know that with the right support they can recover and live safe and happy lives. We are proud of the way we do things at Children First, we put respect, compassion and relationships at the heart of everything we do and we believe that with the best people delivering the best quality support, amazing transformation can take place.

Our Board of Trustees is committed to this vision and values, and Trustees bring their wide range of skills, knowledge, expertise, objectivity, insight and strategic thought to the table. They involve themselves in our work and steer our organisation forward, working closely with the Chief Executive and executive leadership team of the Charity.

We are currently looking for a new Board Trustee with a legal background who will take on the role of Law Agent as required by Children First’s Royal Charter. This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual. You will have the opportunity to use and develop your legal skills and experience to support children and families across Scotland.

The Position

You will join the Board of around 10 other trustees and will be expected to attend and participate up to 5 Board meetings a year as well as an annual Strategy Day. You will also be expected to sit on one subcommittee of the Board and attend meetings of that subcommittee 3 to 4 times a year. The Law Agent will be appointed for an initial term of 3 years, and is eligible to seek nomination to serve a further 3 year term.

Board Trustees are asked to contribute actively to the Board by providing strategic guidance, setting objectives and goals, evaluating performance and providing challenge and support. You will also be an ambassador for the Charity and are expected to respect, promote and protect the culture and values of the Charity.

All Trustees are expected to have a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of the position of a Trustee on a Board.

As Law Agent you will ensure that the Charity complies with it’s governing document and wider legal responsibilities and you will use your legal experience and knowledge to help inform decision making and to support strategic planning at Board meetings. You will be able to apply legal principles to managing risk and ensuring that the policies and processes of the Charity are in line with best legal practice. You will have the ability to identify when the Charity should seek external legal advice.

The formal appointment to the Board will become effective from the date of the Charity’s AGM in September 2025. There will, however, be opportunity to attend Board meetings as an observer before then. New Trustees will participate in an induction process and will be supported in spending time getting to know the organisation.

The Candidate

We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic qualified lawyer to join our Board. Whilst it would be beneficial, you do not need to have specifically worked in the area of child or family law but a keen interest and passion in protecting children’s rights is essential, as well as a commitment to the values of Children First. An understanding of good governance is also required.

You must be able to demonstrate sound, independent judgement and have an ability to be open minded and work collectively. You must have an ability to challenge constructively where required and be able to critically assess and analyse complex issues. Good listening and communication skills are essential.

Children First is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation that is representative of the families and communities it supports. The Board supports this commitment and seeks to enhance its diversity from the perspective of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender and disability. We believe that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

We welcome and encourage applications from all interested parties who believe they can help make a difference.

The position is voluntary, however reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed.