Assessment practitioner jobs in Edinburgh
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About Us
IIED is an international policy and research organisation working to build a fairer, more sustainable world, in partnership with others across the globe.
- We stand up: challenging the systems and structures that perpetuate economic, social and environmental injustice – acknowledging our own role in this.
- We speak out: calling out the big blockers that prevent progress for communities and working to amplify voices, redistribute power and strengthen rights.
- We innovate: developing, co-producing and supporting evidence-based ideas to drive progress towards a thriving world for all.
- We collaborate: building connections at local, national and international levels, to support diverse partners to tackle the climate, nature and inequality crises so that people and the planet can thrive. Come and be part of this exciting journey with us.
We are now looking for an English and Spanish speaking Researcher to join us on a full-time basis, working 35 hours per week, for a 12 month fixed-term contract.
The Benefits
- Salary of £44,892 - £55,773 per annum
- 25 days' annual leave per year, plus bank holidays and additional leave over Christmas
- 7.5% employer pension contributions
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Employee protection scheme (life, critical illness, income protection)
This is an unmissable opportunity for a high-calibre, English and Spanish speaking research professional with experience in forest and farm development work in Latin America to join our international organisation.
You’ll have the chance to design and deliver vital work that helps to shape understanding in an area that matters deeply to communities, livelihoods and the environment.
What’s more, you’ll join a globally connected organisation that values collaboration, innovation and learning, and offers access to hybrid working, as well as a strong benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and long-term development.
The Role
As a Researcher, you will deliver research and analysis on forest and farm finance across the Global South, with a special emphasis on Latin America, working to strengthen sustainable finance models that support people, nature and climate goals.
A significant focus of the role will be designing and delivering action research projects, generating qualitative and quantitative evidence and applying appropriate research frameworks to deepen understanding of forest and farm finance.
Working with forest and farm producer organisations, you will analyse findings, develop new knowledge and produce research outputs that support the development of green value chains, improved access to finance and stronger self-generated finance models.
You will also co-ordinate collaborative projects with international partners, contribute to funding proposals and support communication and engagement activities that share research insights with wider audiences.
Additionally, you will:
- Support project planning, reporting and budget management
- Write and edit research outputs for publication and dissemination
- Build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, funders and research networks
About You
To be considered as a Researcher, you will need:
- A solid research background with skills and experience evidenced by a track record of growing publications in your own field (e.g. research reports, policy briefs, tools or toolkits)
- Field research and in-country experience in forest and farm development work in Latin America
- Experience in research or in technical capacity development in relevant areas such as forestry or agroforestry, forest enterprise development, climate or development finance
- Experience of research team coordination, including from a distance
- Fluency in both English and Spanish
- Knowledge of institutions, actors, and current debates and research agendas in the field of forestry, agriculture and development
- An understanding of how to work effectively with partners in developing countries
- A relevant postgraduate degree in an area such as forestry, land use, economics, sustainable development or similar, or equivalent experience
- Professional training and/or a certification in economics or access to finance for vulnerable communities
- The willingness to travel to developing countries
This role requires a Basic DBS check.
IIED is a hybrid working organisation, and you are likely to be working from home most of the time. As such, you will need a suitable place to work and a reliable, fast internet connection.
The closing date for this role is 12th April 2026.
IIED is a Global organisation that serves the Global Majority. We are committed to equity of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in IIED’s workforce, including members of minority groups and those with lived experience of the work we do. Even if you don't satisfy all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply, as we will offer training and development to upskill the right candidate for the role.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
As Director of External Affairs across the Bild Group of four small charities (with collective turnover of approx. £3m/yr), you will have a deep commitment to human rights and improving people’s lives.
You will provide strategic direction and leadership to the External Relations function across all four charities in the group, taking overall responsibility for and providing thought-leadership on our strategic approach to policy, influencing, public affairs, stakeholder engagement.
You will play a lead role in planning, developing, and implementing the communication and external relations and wider engagement strategic plan to grow awareness and profile of Bild, Respond, Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) and ACT.
By sharing the impact of our work and programmes in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and /or mental health conditions, you will support Bild in becoming the sector leading provider of organisational and workforce development (and RRN in becoming the leading charity in reducing restrictive practices globally – and Respond as leaders in trauma informed therapy).
You will champion Bild and RRN’s brand, vision, mission and values acting as an ambassador for the organisation both internally and externally to partners, stakeholders and media.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
Strategic Leadership:
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Develop and implement an integrated communications and external relations strategy across the four charities in the group to raise our profile and to influence change which positively impacts on our beneficiaries, aligning media, campaigning, and public affairs with the charity’s mission and strategic priorities
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Lead and inspire a high-performing team including Membership and Events Officer, Resources Coordinator and comms team as required
Comms & Marketing:
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Plan, develop and implement strategic communications and marketing plans to maximise awareness of the Bild Group of charities across the broad spectrum of communications disciplines including media relations, stakeholder management, influencer engagement, ethical (impact focused) marketing, social and new media and the production of new materials and resources
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Write, develop and produce materials such as infographics, press releases, briefing documents, media statements and online information suitable for stakeholders, including people with lived experience
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Ensure effective marketing across all four charities focusing on impact and including ensuring we attend a range of external events and that all four websites are best practice.
Influencing & Public Affairs:
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Working with the CEO, you will drive policy change by developing strategies to influence key decision makers through building relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, and sector stakeholders to ensure the charity's policy agenda is impactful
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Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, calls and requests for information in order to capitalise on suitable opportunities for maximising the reach and impact of all four charities
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Build our credibility as a thought leader in the sector
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:
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Build and sustain strategic alliances with senior civil servants, civil society groups, and community partners to increase the organization's influence and impact
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Develop effective stakeholder relationship management processes that ensure partnerships of all levels are provided with a rich, immersive engagement experience with the organisation and the work that we do
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Identify, liaise with and ensure positive relationships with key stakeholders – internal and external including media, government departments, partners, charities, providers, customers, other relevant parties to secure maximum impact for all four charities and their beneficiaries
Reputation, Brand Management & Marketing:
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Champion the Bild group brands, promoting the mission, values and impact of the organisation and ensuring consistent, engaging narratives and high-quality storytelling across all external channels
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Shaping the charity's profile and protecting its reputation through media relations, digital engagement, and consistent key messaging and building our credibility as thought leaders in sector.
Membership, Events & Communities:
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By ensuring appropriate, effective and engaging communications to all relevant audiences and stakeholders, your role will support the growth and development of our membership, Communities of Practice and the event programme (including webinars and conferences).
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Effectively plan, manage and lead a range of events for the Bild group of charities and associated marketing and communications
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Develop framework for Communities of Practice and strategy for engagement and growth
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Supporting Bild and RRN spokespeople with PR and media outreach
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Keep abreast of communications and engagement activity within the sector and demonstrate an awareness of the impact these may have on existing and future communications activity
General Responsibilities
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Contribute to evaluation and assessment of results against KPIs and tracking activity
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Allocate, manage and evaluate budget spend
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Identify resource requirements for activity across Bild group
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Develop and maintain systems, databases and procedures to support Bild group communication activities
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Plan, monitor, appraise and report progress of activity regularly with an innate understanding of how this supports activity across the Bild group
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Plan, manage and oversee budgetary spend related to outsourcing specialist activities such as video editing and design
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Ensure communications and marketing work complies with data protection and other legal, professional and agency requirements, standards and policies
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Support the senior leadership team on any activity as required.
Personal Development
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Be part of a culture of quality in all areas of communications, PR and marketing
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Participate and contribute to individual performance appraisal and supervision sessions
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Keep abreast of relevant initiatives and developments within the adult health and social care, education & disability sector and the wider communications / engagement profession
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Undertake relevant training, as necessary including accessing new systems and software as required to support the role.
Organisational Responsibilities:
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Access and work within Bild’s policies and procedures.
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Attend internal cycle of team meetings relevant to this role.
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Engage with line management, supervision (where appropriate) and appraisal process.
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Comply with data protection regulations, ensuring that information on clients, employees, volunteers and other stakeholders remains confidential.
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Take responsibility for personal learning and development with support from line manager.
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Work in a manner that facilitates equal opportunities and inclusion for all.
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Remain professional and respectful at all times, promoting positive relations with all those we encounter in our work.
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Maintain health and safety and risk awareness for self and others across the organisation.
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Undertake any other duties that Bild may require within the remit of this role.
This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. It is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review with the postholder at their annual appraisal.
Person Specification
Job Title
Director of External Relations
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Exceptional copy writing and verbal communication skills
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Good presenting, negotiating and influencing skills
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Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build mutually beneficial relationships
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The ability to work effectively within a small team
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Ability to work under pressure, and plan, manage, and adapt own workload
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A flexible, proactive and problem-solving approach to work
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A motivated attitude and ability to work on own initiative
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A commitment to human rights and modelling accessibility and inclusion throughout activity
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Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as demanded by the post
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Fit to undertake the duties of the post.
Experience/Skills/Competencies
Essential
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Significant experience working in communications, policy and PR with demonstrable success
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PR and media management experience, including both online and traditional PR
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Experience of managing and implementing social media plans, including post development, scheduling, evaluation and monitoring feedback
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Experience of overseeing the design and production of print and electronic publications, including website management and development
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Experience of managing CRM systems and ensuring effective data capture and utilising data to inform decision making
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Ability to analyse data and shape results into reports that inform decision making
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Ability to build effective relationships and networks and establish credibility for Bild, RRN, Respond and Bild ACT
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Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive relationships with colleagues, members and wider stakeholders
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Demonstrated digital comms / social media skills and understanding of emerging digital marketing tools and platforms
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Ability to use a variety of IT packages/databases including CRM systems.
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Experience managing budgets and associated reporting
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Ability to work remotely and regularly travel to in person events
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Time management skills and ability to prioritise workload under pressure as part of a small but vibrant team
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Strong awareness and interest in news/current affairs/politics and the broader third sector, social care and education sector.
Desirable
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Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, preferably in another disability and/or membership charity
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Strong understanding of education, health, social care, disability and not for profit environment
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Strong media contacts within relevant trade sector publications
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Ability to use externally managed media databases (such as Agility etc.)
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Experience with conferences, webinars and hybrid events.
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Experience supporting and manging a remote team
Education and Qualifications:
Other Requirements:
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Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities and able to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
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Regular travel to attend meetings and events.
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Occasional evening meetings.
Legal requirements:
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Enhanced DBS check.
Your application should include an up to date CV together with a supporting statement detailing how your skills and experience align with the job description and person specification.
Please note that we will be unable to progress applications from candidates who do not answer the screening questions.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our vision is a society where everyone can enjoy the same rights and opportunities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for a dynamic, values-led, strategic leader to drive our mission for migration justice and social work solidarity. The role entails oversight of the operations and strategy of the organisation, responsibility for financial management and fundraising, maintaining the health of the organisation and embedding anti-racist and anti-opressive values into every aspect of the organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.