External consultant jobs in edinburgh

Team: Legacies & In Memory

Location: Remotely, UK

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £70,004.60 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Cats Protection are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity, and we’re seeking an ambitious, knowledgeable and compassionate individual to lead our successful legacy and in memory fundraising programme

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our Head of Legacy Giving:

• Our Head of Legacy Giving is responsible for Cats Protection’s largest charitable income stream, leading our Legacy Marketing, Legacy Administration and In Memory teams as we seek to delivery exemplary fundraising programmes raising upwards of £50m a year – around half of the cats we help are cared for thanks to this work.
• With ambitions to continue growing the income we receive from Legacy and In Memory giving, our Head of Legacy Giving is responsible for shaping the long-term strategy to deliver this growth and overseeing the implementation of activity across the organisation that maximises the scale and value of current and future support.
• Underpinning this transformation is a responsibility for the role to lead our medium and long-term legacy modelling, inspire and develop our high performing teams, and collaborate with an array of internal stakeholders and key external partners.
• The role is also a member of our Marketing and Income Generation (MIG) directorate leadership team, as part of a unified leadership group that has shared accountability and strategic responsibility for the organisation’s collective income generation performance.

About the Legacy and In Memory department:

• The department sits within our Individual Giving and Legacies business area of the Marketing & Income Generation Directorate
• There are four broad areas of expertise and delivery within the department – legacy marketing, legacy administration, in memory fundraising, and local legacy and in memory giving – with 16 individuals making up the teams.
• The teams are responsible for fundraising programmes that cover traditional legacy giving, Free Wills, our Cat Guardians service and In Memory giving for both people and cats.

What we’re looking for in our Head of Legacy Giving:

• Proven experience in a senior charitable legacy fundraising and direct marketing role
• Experience of leading and managing multiple teams working together to deliver ambitious targets, overcome challenges and achieve measurable impact in a remote working environment
• Proven track record of strategic development, planning and implementation
• Experience of commissioning and managing external agencies and consultants
• Experience of managing significant income and expenditure budgets
• Experience of providing impactful management information and reports to internal stakeholders on legacy income and key KPIs
• Knowledge of Chartered Institute of Fundraising codes of practice, sector regulation and compliance, and data protection legislation

What we can offer you:

• Range of health benefits
• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
• and much more, which you can learn about

Interested? Here’s how to apply:

Application closing date: 30th November 2025

Virtual interview date: Week commencing 8th December 2025

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. Anonymised application form

2. Virtual interview via Microsoft Teams

Unlock the Power of Data to Transform Education Across Africa. Join PEAS as our next Global Data Officer and help drive real impact for young people in hard-to-reach communities.

About PEAS
PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to expanding access to inclusive, quality secondary education across Sub-Saharan Africa. Our vision is a world where all children enjoy an education that unlocks their full potential. With 46 schools across Uganda and Zambia, we deliver high-quality, low-cost education in marginalised communities and work hand-in-hand with governments to ensure all young people can learn in a safe, inclusive environment. Each year, we support over 200,000 young people across Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana.

The Role: Global Data Officer
As Global Data Officer, you will play a key role in strengthening the availability and use of high-quality data for decision-making at PEAS. You’ll work across both our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Data Development teams, combining strong technical skills in Python, SQL, and Excel with a passion for using data to drive impact. You’ll support teams to understand and interpret data, develop dashboards to unlock real-time insights, and coordinate research and evaluations that shape our programmes and improve outcomes for students.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of MEL workplans across all countries of operation.
• Guide the development and rollout of MEL tools and processes for data collection and analysis.
• Quality assure data analysis and conduct ad hoc special projects.
• Work with the Data Developer to roll out the PEAS Real Time Learning (RTL) tool and maintain data platforms.
• Develop and maintain Databricks pipelines for data extraction, loading, and transformation.
• Provide professional development support to MEL colleagues globally and coordinate MEL Global calls.
• Support external research, evaluations, and reporting commitments.

Who We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, sciences, or a related field.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with Python and SQL.
• Skills in data or statistical analysis, with the ability to create high-quality data visualisations.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a data role, or a graduate with a strong desire to move into data sciences.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with a passion for using technical solutions to achieve PEAS’ mission.
• Experience in education programmes in low-resource settings (Uganda, Zambia, Ghana) is desirable but not essential.

Why Join PEAS?

• Be part of a small, supportive, and values-driven team making a real difference.
• Flexible working options, including remote working and flexible hours.
• Opportunity to develop your skills and contribute to impactful programmes.

How to Apply

To apply, please click the 'Redirect to Recruiter' button to be redirected to our application form. Please ensure you have read the job pack attached to this job advert before applying.

Applicants will be asked to complete an assessment which will assess skills on Python, SQL and Excel.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 26th November 2025 at 17:00 UK time. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may close early if a high number of suitable candidates is received.

PEAS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively seek a diverse applicant pool.

AtaLoss is recruiting a skilled, motivated and creative Marketing and Communications Executive to help raise national awareness of bereavement and increase engagement with our services across the UK. This full-time role offers the chance to apply your marketing expertise to meaningful, purpose-driven work that supports people who are grieving.

You will lead a variety of marketing and communication activities, including planning and delivering digital and print campaigns, managing social media and website content, producing creative digital assets, supporting PR, media work and Ambassadors, and reporting on performance analytics. You will also assist with events, webinars and exhibitions, working closely with the Director of Communications and Development and collaborating with the Marketing and Income Generation Executive. This is a rewarding role for someone who is highly organised, digitally confident and passionate about impactful, compassionate communication.

Contract: 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours per week), permanent with 6-month probation period

Salary: £56,650-70,000 per annum, depending on experience

Location: Remote working, with option to use co-working space

Start Date: As soon as possible

Reports to: Executive Director

Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK.

How to Apply

Closing Date: 10 December 2025 (23:59 GMT)

To apply, please submit the following: 

• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)

• CV

Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

The Role

BASIC is seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to lead our finance function during a period of sustained growth. The Financial Controller will work across Programme teams ensuring strong financial management and reporting to funding partners, maintain strong financial controls, ensure compliance with charity finance regulations, and provide accurate financial reporting to our Directors and Board of Trustees.

The Financial Controller will oversee the small finance team, including line management of a Finance Assistant and management of an external bookkeeper consultant. This team will be responsible for the majority of financial accounting, processing payroll, and accurate bookkeeping, for which the Financial Controller will be ultimately accountable.

The role includes managing restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements and programme needs, preparing statutory accounts for external audit, and overseeing payroll processing. This role reports directly to the Executive Director to prepare annual budgets and financial strategy, and works closely with the Board's Financial Development Committee to present its implementation.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong technical accounting skills, experience in charity finance, and a proven track record of effective financial management of a growing organisation. You should be comfortable both managing a small team and working hands-on when needed, building collaborative relationships across the organisation. You will need to be a multitasker with the ability to work at pace, and be willing to develop the finance function and best practices to enable the organisation to grow further.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Oversee the maintenance of accurate financial records and bookkeeping in accordance with charity accounting standards (SORP)

• Prepare monthly management accounts including variance reporting and rolling forecasts

• Prepare annual statutory accounts and manage the annual independent audit process in its entirety

• Manage restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements

• Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to the Board of Trustees, Executive Director, and funding partners

Financial Operations

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including payment processing, staff expenses, and cost allocation (including staff costs)

• Oversee monthly payroll using QuickBooks (led by Finance Assistant)

• Manage treasury functions including bank and cash management

• Oversee procurement of key assets such as IT equipment

• Cashflow management

Grant and Budget Management

• Support budget development for funding bids and proposals

• Monitor spend against grants and projects, working towards full cost recovery

• Prepare financial reports for donors and funding partners

• Lead annual budget-setting and forecasting processes in collaboration with the Board and Executive Director

Financial Systems and Controls

• Develop and maintain robust financial systems, processes, and controls

• Continuously improve finance processes and identify efficiencies

• Advise on financial governance and best practice

• Manage financial risks and opportunities (e.g., insurance, foreign exchange)

Team Management and Stakeholder Relations

• Line manage the Finance Assistant and oversee external bookkeeper consultant

• Build collaborative relationships across the organisation

• Manage relationships with key external stakeholders including banks, international transfer services, and audit partners

• Work closely with the Board's Financial Development Committee and BASIC's Treasurer

Please note: This list is not exhaustive. Other tasks may be required as they arise.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) or part-qualified with significant relevant experience
• Proven experience in a mid-level to senior finance role, with responsibility for financial accounting and reporting
• Experience managing restricted and unrestricted funds
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing audit processes
• Experience in a growing organisation, implementing and improving financial systems and controls
• Strong technical accounting skills and understanding of financial controls
• Excellent numeracy and attention to detail
• Proficiency with accounting software (experience with QuickBooks highly desirable)
• Strong Excel/spreadsheet skills
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines
• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Comfortable working hands-on when needed while also providing strategic oversight
• Ability to work at pace in a fast-growing organisation
• Commitment to BASIC's mission and values

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in charity finance and understanding of charity accounting standards (SORP)
• Experience line managing finance staff
• Experience in an international organisation or with international funding
• Understanding of charity governance and regulatory requirements