The Welcoming Association is a charity dedicated to supporting New Scots (asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants) in Edinburgh to build positive, integrated lives.

We are seeking new Board Members to help guide and deliver our vision of a more welcoming, diverse, and inclusive city. Our current Board and staff team are deeply committed, passionate, and bring a wide range of lived and professional experiences. We are excited to expand this collective strength by welcoming several new Trustees.

We are particularly keen to hear from individuals who can complement our existing Board with some of the skills and experience set out in the role description. We warmly encourage applications from people with lived experience of migration, as well as those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to:

• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of New Scots in Edinburgh.

• Contribute to an organisation at the heart of community integration.

• Work alongside a committed and values-driven Board and staff team.

• Help shape strategy and influence change at both local and national levels.

About Us

BEMIS Scotland is a national umbrella body supporting the development of the ethnic minorities voluntary sector in Scotland. We are committed to empowering communities, promoting equality, and advancing human rights.

Our core values include:

• Equality and Social Justice
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Anti-Racism and Human Rights
• Community Empowerment and Participation
• Transparency and Accountability

The Role

We are seeking a highly organised and motivated Administrative Assistant to support our day-to-day operations. This role is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, reliable, and committed to the values of equality and social justice.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a strategic organisation that partners with communities, collegial organisations, and government to address structural inequalities in Scotland.

You will report directly to the Executive Director and work as part of a collaborative team including the Senior IT & Information Officer and Race Equality, Training and Human Rights Officers.

You will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of administrative and financial processes, supporting project delivery, and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders and grant providers.

Additional Information

• This is a part-time role (14 hours per week)
• Typical working pattern is two days per week, with flexibility agreed with the Executive Director
• Fixed-term contract until 31 March 2027 (with potential extension subject to funding)
• Start date: Monday 1 June
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Equal Opportunities

BEMIS Scotland is committed to being an inclusive and equitable employer. We actively encourage applications from individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and other underrepresented groups.

Eligibility to Work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Evidence of this will be required prior to appointment.

Are you passionate about supporting people to turn their ideas into impactful, sustainable enterprises? Do you thrive on building relationships and helping others overcome challenges? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Firstport is Scotland’s agency for start-up social entrepreneurs. We are looking for a Relationship Manager to help strengthen our regional presence and ensure individuals and communities can access high‑quality, people-centred support to explore, test and grow social enterprise ideas. This role is central to how Firstport shows up across the East of Scotland, from Dundee to the Borders. You will spend time meeting people in their own communities, representing Firstport, building trusted relationships, and ensuring our programmes remain visible, accessible and responsive to local needs.

About you

We’re looking for someone with excellent communication skills, particularly in face‑to‑face and community‑based settings. You will be confident engaging with and supporting people from diverse backgrounds, with a strong understanding of the issues affecting communities across the East of Scotland.

The ideal candidate will combine strong relationship‑building skills with sound judgement and effective decision‑making. Experience of assessing funding applications or similar processes is highly desirable, alongside a genuine passion for social enterprise and making a real difference at a grassroots level.

Founded in 1875, the Cockburn Association is Edinburgh’s Civic Trust. It is a registered Scottish Charity with stated objectives as:

• The maintenance and improvement of the amenity of the City of Edinburgh and its neighbourhood;
• The protection and preservation of the city’s landscape and historic & architectural heritage.

In practice, the Cockburn Association has evolved to take an interest in many other aspects of the city’s development and management in accordance with sustainability principles:

• Supporting the protection of the landscape setting of the city and significant open spaces that contribute to the city’s unique character
• Promoting the improvement of the aesthetic and functional quality of shared spaces such as public squares, parks, streets and footways
• Advocating for sustainable transport systems sensitive to different needs for accessibility and mobility
• Encouraging high quality contemporary design for buildings and the public realm.

Our VISION is: A thriving Edinburgh where our heritage is created, protected, and enjoyed by all

Our MISSION is: We galvanise civic action to inspire stewardship, ownership, access, and appreciation of Edinburgh’s built and natural heritage

Our VALUES are:

1. We are an independent organisation that acts with integrity to monitor change and provide well informed, evidence-based advice to secure long-term benefits for the city.
2. As a respected body, we advocate for positive change through constructive dialogue and critical challenge with the aim of delivering successful outcomes.
3. We work in partnership with others to pursue wider public interest, engaging with our members and Edinburgh’s communities so that inclusive and wider views are represented and heard.

Role Purpose:

Often the first point of contact for Members, partners and media, you’ll work with a range of stakeholders across the city, playing an integral role in one of the world’s oldest conservation charities. You’ll work with our small team of two, and our incredible volunteers to design and deliver a new audience engagement plan. You’ll support and grow our Membership through the delivery of events from our annual talks and tours to Edinburgh’s Doors Open Days (part of Scotland’s largest free heritage festival). You’ll embed our new CRM, manage budgets, and report progress to the Board, funders and wider stakeholders. There will be lots of opportunities to engage in research, embark on and strengthen partnerships, and work with communities across the city and beyond. Ideally, you’ll have a passion for Edinburgh and enjoy working flexibly and dynamically to meet our charity’s needs. It’s an exciting time to join the Association, as we embark on the delivery of our new Business Plan, take back the coordination of Edinburgh’s Doors Open Days, and work with international and local partners to build evidence for the city’s 2040 Plan. Join us and help ensure that Edinburgh is a thriving city where our heritage is created, protected, and enjoyed by all.