sparqs is a charity funded by the Scottish Funding Council to work with Scotland's university and college sectors. Our mission is to foster a culture of partnership between students and staff which enables the Scottish education sector to respond to challenges and realise its ambitions to provide the best possible experience for each and every student.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated person to deliver a range of activities including training, consultancy support and research and development projects. Some of our current projects include supporting the development of student partnership within a new tertiary quality enhancement framework, supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion in learning and teaching, and supporting effective learner journeys. We would welcome applicants with experience (or similar) in these areas. The role involves regular travel throughout Scotland and may also involve occasional international travel.

You will have a commitment to supporting the role of students in delivering improvements to college and university life and a good range of key skills including excellent interpersonal skills, written communication skills and experience of delivering training or facilitating workshops. Experience of working in a student engagement or similar role and knowledge of Student partnership in quality processes is desirable but not essential.

sparqs recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality, and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds and with diverse kinds of life experiences.

As a result of planned retirements and Board renewal, we have two opportunities to join our Board as Trustees for Shelter Scotland:

Role 1 Trustee

Role 2 Chair of the Scotland Committee and Vice-Chair to the Board of Trustees.

We’re looking for people with a range of professional and personal experiences. Strong candidates will relish the chance to join a high-performing Board, working with an extremely talented and highly motivated Executive Leadership Team. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve in Scotland.

Experience in the following areas would be key:

• Knowledge and understanding of the operating environment for third sector organisations in Scotland.
• Experience of public affairs or social policy development in a Scottish context.
• Experience of delivering anti-racism policy and in practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of fundraising in the Scottish context.

What is the Voluntary Sector?

The ‘voluntary sector’ refers to organisations whose primary purpose is to create social impact rather than profit. It is independent from local and national government, and distinct from the private sector. Charities are the largest single category within the voluntary sector.

About Shelter and Shelter Scotland

We are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent. Our Trustees play a vital role in making sure that we achieve our core purpose.

Being a Trustee

Our Board of Trustees is a non-executive Board with overall legal responsibility for the direction, management and control of Shelter and is collectively accountable for compliance with charity law, company law and other legislative and regulatory requirements. As a Trustee, you will have the chance to support and shape our work and strategic direction. Trusteeship can help you gain experience of strategy and leadership. It will give you experience of setting a strategic vision, influencing and negotiation, and managing risk. If you already have significant experience in these areas, it can be stimulating to use it in a different and potentially challenging context. As a Trustee, you will be part of a team and will have the opportunity to apply your unique skills and experience while learning from others. Working closely with a passionate team of people who have different perspectives is often one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role. People with lived or learned experience of homelessness can bring powerful perspectives to our Board and play an important role in shaping our strategy. Terms of Appointment Terms of office are normally limited to a maximum of two terms, each of three years.

Remuneration

Trustees receive no fees, remuneration, salary or other financial benefits nor any other material benefits in their role at Shelter. However, they can claim reasonable expenses for attendance at Board and other meetings or events in line with the Trustee Expenses Policy.

Application Criteria

Charity Commission CC30 Guidance and the Charities Act 2011 disqualifies some people from acting as a trustee. Shelter will not appoint a person who is not allowed by law to be a trustee.

The Regenerative Futures Fundis a co-designed, community-rooted initiative to tackle poverty, racism and climate change in Edinburgh. A pooled fund providing unrestricted long-term funding, and decisions made by residents with lived experience, it is reshaping how funding can empower and transform. The programme was designed between 2022 and 2024, the capacity building phase launched in 2025, and the ten-year programme starts in 2026.Our first Annual Reportwas published in late 2025.

Role Overview

As we enter this new phase, we are seeking a skilled fundraiser to help secure significant philanthropic support for the £15.8m Regenerative Futures Fund. With £9.1m already committed and strong relationships across Scotland and the UK, you’ll play a key role in driving the next phase of growth.

The postholder will secure 5–7 figure gifts from Trusts & Foundations by researching prospects, writing high quality proposals, and stewarding strong funder relationships.

What We Are Looking For

We’re looking for a proactive and skilled fundraiser who can identify and cultivate relationships with trusts and foundations. You’ll be confident researching prospects, managing a pipeline, and developing tailored engagement approaches. You’ll bring strong writing skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals, cases for support, and applications that clearly communicate our impact. You’ll also be comfortable gathering project, budget, and outcomes information to strengthen submissions.

Relationship building will be at the heart of your work. You’ll maintain positive, professional connections with funders, acting as their main point of contact for enquiries and updates. You’ll also support reporting and administration by keeping accurate Salesforce records, contributing to donor communications, and supporting monitoring and evaluation processes. If you’re an excellent writer and a natural relationship builder with a passion for impactful fundraising, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

• A progressive pay system with benchmarked annual increases
• Life Assurance at 3 times annual salary
• Defined contribution scheme with 7% Employer’s contribution
• 35 days annual leave [including bank holidays)
• 2 days equivalent paid volunteering
• Training and development opportunities
• Working pattern flexibility and homeworking
• Employee Assistance Plan

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contactjane@foundationscotland.org.uk

Equality Monitoring Survey

Foundation Scotland Equality Monitoring Survey