External consultant jobs in Edinburgh
By providing finance and support, at SIB we enable charities and social enterprises to exist, grow and thrive. We have disbursed £0.8bn to thousands of organisations since 2002. Our team believes in the power of the social economy, champions the charities and social enterprises we support - and we are all working together to build stronger communities and a fairer society.
It is a hugely exciting time to join the organisation. We are growing, investing in our expert team, and building on the successes of the last few years.
Find out more about our values and what we do by visiting our website.
Our values are: People First, Curious, Bold, Collaborative, Accountable
About this role:
Reporting to the Head of Policy and Communications, the Policy and Communications Coordinator will support SIB’s track record of sector, government and media engagement, notably the high standard of publication set through its media partnerships with Tortoise and the Financial Times, its contributions to the policy landscape in the social sector, and its in-house data analysis and insight generation. This new post will contribute to SIB’s ongoing communications and public policy work and its reach and influence, building on a growing base of expertise across SIB’s three strategic priority areas: Green Transition, Infrastructure and Services.
Key responsibilities
1. Support the Head of Policy and Communications to deliver the Policy and Communications strategy for SIB.
2. Making use of media and parliamentary tracking software keep abreast of SIB’s strategic policy areas, sharing accessible updates and digests of relevant legislation and central and local government programming and media coverage.
3. Attend / watch online relevant parliamentary committees, All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and Commons and Lords sessions, capturing relevant outcomes and identifying MPs and Lords that SIB should seek to work with / influence.
4. Support the Head of Policy and Communications to identify a key parliamentary contacts list. Create tailored communications for these key contacts which share relevant statistics and case studies from SIB’s portfolio, alongside policy influencing lines. This will include drafting questions and briefings where relevant, and ensuring that regular contact is maintained.
5. Support the drafting of consultation responses and press releases using SIB’s core messaging, reporting, research and data.
6. Support SIB’s annual party conference attendance with coordination and administration in advance and in person.
7. Support the Head of Policy and Communications with attendance at influencing meetings and webinars with, for example, the Association of Decentralised Energy, Community Energy England, Locality, Better Society Capital, the Access Foundation and others.
8. Draft internal and external copy for newsletters and the SIB intranet and website.
9. Monitor the press email address and support correspondence with journalists on reactive and proactive stories.
10. Attend and provide oversight to the Social Investment Forum, as part of SIB’s secretariat and hosting.
11. Write, edit and produce engaging and relevant content at pace for web, social media and e-newsletters, as well as earned and paid channels.
12. Management of external suppliers of communications and policy activities, including agencies, designers, consultants and think tanks.
13. Work with the Marketing Manager, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Business Development Manager and wider team to deliver successful external events with customers, stakeholders and partners including attendance at Party Conferences.
14. Work in line with the organisation's values, principles and processes to achieve operational excellence.
15. Adopt our continuous improvement and learning ethos
16. Support and embed equality, diversity and inclusion into day-to-day behaviours and activities within your role as well as contributing more widely across SIB’s commitment to E, D & I
17. Support and contribute to the implementation and delivery of SIB’s strategy
18. In agreement with manager to undertake other tasks and work on cross team projects that support the objectives of SIB as required
Core competencies
- Previous experience of working in a public policy, PR, marketing, external affairs or communications role
- Excellent writing skills
- Good research skills, with an ability to absorb large amounts of information at pace, including in unfamiliar policy areas and produce cogent syntheses
- Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively teams across functions in an integrated way
- Good established networks through experience in a similar role, and a commitment to expanding those networks to support SIB’s strategic aims
- Experience of building effective media partnerships
- Good working knowledge of data-driven storytelling in a variety of outlets from organisation websites to mainstream media and confidence in interpreting data and understanding the key points to be drawn from it to gain traction in media and campaigning environments
- Experience of developing and delivering effective communications campaigns, including through a range of digital channels
- Strong planning skills and an ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and meet deadlines
- Strong understanding of UK political context, especially as it concerns the social economy, and parliamentary process
- An understanding of how to promote research, policy papers, data analysis and other activities of a think tank and consultancy
- Excellent IT skills and the ability to learn new programmes quickly
Desirable competencies
- Data visualisation skills
- Data storytelling
- A good aesthetic eye and ability to shape images, visuals and formatting, and to liaise confidently with designers
- Understanding of the UK charity and social enterprise sectors
Education / Professional experience
- Experience in policy, research and media
- Experience of collaborative working across teams
- In-depth digital communications expertise
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We believe in the power of the social economy to build a more equal society.
Thank you!
The Head of Advocacy, Awareness and External Relations is a senior leadership role within AtaLoss, working closely with and reporting directly to the CEO. The post-holder will lead work across the public, bereavement and commercial sectors to deliver AtaLoss’ strategic outcomes by:
- providing national leadership in bereavement awareness, advocacy and policy influence, including through Parliament, the APPG and the media
- strengthening the website as the UK’s trusted gateway for bereavement support, ensuring accessible, high-quality content and effective signposting
- enabling holistic bereavement support in communities and workplaces through partnership development, training and the growth of Bereavement Friendly Communities
- contributing to organisational sustainability through income-generating training, cross-sector partnerships and effective external engagement.
The role sits at the heart of AtaLoss’ mission to ensure that every bereaved person can access the right support at the right time, and to position bereavement as a public health issue requiring timely, coordinated and understanding response.
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!
Client: Democratic Progress Institute (DPI)
Project Title: Supporting Peace Through Dialogue by Engaging the Leading Actors and Civil Society in Türkiye
Duration: 18 months
Location: Remote in UK (Flexibility to come to London office if required)
Start Date: ASAP
Background
The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is an independent non-governmental organisation established in consultation with international experts in conflict resolution and democratic advancement in Türkiye and the region. DPI seeks to promote peace and democracy building through strengthened public dialogue and political engagement.
Through its Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), the European Union is funding an 18-month programme on supporting inclusive dialogue and peacebuilding in Türkiye.
Purpose & Objectives
DPI is recruiting a Communication Consultant to meet key KPIs for its newly secured EU project.
The Communications Consultant will design, implement, and manage all strategic communications for the project from launch through close-out, ensuring consistent messaging, strong public visibility, and documented impact.
The consultant will:
- In line with the approved project proposal and logframe, develop and operationalise a comprehensive communications strategy in close collaboration with the Programmes team.
- Lead external communication throughout project lifecycle.
- Provide continuous communications support and reporting on communications and donor visibility activities throughout the project implementation.
- Produce end-of-project visibility and impact documentation.
Key requirements
- At least 5+ years’ experience in a mid-level communications role for NGOs.
- Additional 2+ years’ experience working as an independent consultant.
- Strong knowledge of the EU communications guidelines and experience working on EU projects.
- Experience working in peace building, conflict resolution etc. desirable.
- Turkish language a plus.
UK-based remote role. Should be flexible to come to London office if required. (TBC with Head of Programmes)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The core purpose is to inspire and grow a network of local volunteers, enabling them to champion their churches and organise events that foster community engagement. We are looking for someone who can inspire volunteers to cherish and take responsibility for their local church. Someone who can build relationships with our local communities and engage, support and grow our network of local volunteers.
We need someone who will work closely and enthusiastically with our small team to develop, encourage and enable community use of and care for our historic buildings.
Above all, we need an excellent communicator, and someone who can engender a collaborative working approach.
In supporting and developing our volunteering initiatives, we need someone who will be the organisation’s lead on health and safety, embedding best practice across all operations and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
The Volunteering & Community Officer plays a pivotal role in engaging and supporting volunteers to care for historic churches across England and Wales. The position may be full-time or split into two part-time roles, with flexible, home-based working and regular travel to sites.
Registered Charity
1 - 5
We rescue and repair closed places of worship in England and Wales and encourage community use of these spaces.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Part-time, permanent.
West Midlands Heritage Trust is seeking a skilled and motivated Finance Officer to join our small, dedicated team working to safeguard historic buildings across the West Midlands. This newly created, permanent role offers a flexible, hybrid working arrangement, primarily home-based, with one day per week in a shared office (currently Worcester), bi-monthly evening board meetings, and occasional regional travel.
Working closely with the Treasurer, trustees, external accountants and project teams, you will support the financial management of WMHT and its partner Project Trusts. Responsibilities include maintaining financial records and budgets, processing invoices, monitoring project expenditure, supporting grant applications and claims, ensuring compliance with statutory and funder requirements, and preparing financial reports for the Board.
We are looking for an AAT-qualified (or equivalent) individual with strong bookkeeping and accounting skills, experience using financial systems (e.g. Sage or QuickBooks), excellent communication abilities, and a proactive, organised approach. An interest in heritage and community-based projects is desirable.
The role is 22.5 hours per week, with some flexibility required, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Full details are available in the job description and person specification.
Deadline: 12 noon, Saturday 31st January 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Reporting to: Co-Executive Director
Benefits:
25 days annual leave per annum, plus UK public and bank holidays (pro rata)
Office closure for a week in December and August
Annual leave allocation increases annually by one day (up to a maximum of five days)
10% employer pension contribution
Other standard Foxglove benefits
About us
Foxglove is a non-profit that exists to make the use of technology fair for all. When Big Tech companies abuse their power, their workers or the planet – and when governments use technology to oppress, exclude or discriminate – we litigate and campaign to fix it.
Big Tech companies have become so large – gobbling up a huge slice of the global marketplace and an unprecedented treasure hoard of user data – that they’re now more powerful than many states. The harmful effects of this concentration of power are everywhere – threats to our democracy, to our privacy, decimated workers’ rights and platforms rife with disinformation and hate. Big Tech and AI data centres are rapidly expanding, resulting in huge strain on energy and water supplies. Worldwide governments are ploughing ahead with the use of algorithms and mass data systems to cut costs and increase efficiency often resulting in digital tools that entrench unfairness and leave the most vulnerable in society in crisis. All these problems are only getting worse with generative AI.
Foxglove works to bring the rule of law to the tech and AI giants who have upended our public square, workplaces, and social lives. We have a strong track record. We’ve launched landmark cases seeking structural changes to big tech’s harmful business models, supported 180+ Facebook content moderators fired for trying to form a union to sue Facebook and their outsourcing company, Sama – winning world-first judgements. We're urging competition regulators worldwide to stop Google’s theft of independent news. We’ve filed the UK’s first legal challenge to a data centre permission decision over the government’s failure to properly assess their environmental impact. We’ve forced disclosure of secret contracts between tech giants and the NHS, stopped a racist Home Office visa streaming algorithm, helped make grading fair for UK A level students, forced the government to pause the NHS Data Grab and challenged the Department of Work and Pension’s use of an algorithm unfairly flagging disabled people for benefit fraud investigations.
We are a small but growing team of lawyers, communications experts, and campaigners. Our work is global, and we work in partnership with lawyers, civil society, unions, and people impacted by Big Tech.
The role
As Head of Operations, you will lead all operational functions of Foxglove. You will ensure that our finance, HR, legal compliance, fundraising, systems and internal processes enable the organisation to carry out its mission effectively. You’ll work across Foxglove and closely with leadership, as well as with external partners to build a resilient and well-governed organisation, able to manage growth and complexity while staying mission driven. This role manages one member of staff and multiple consultants.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Financial Management & Accounting
1.Oversee financial operations: budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, expenditure controls, financial reporting, payroll.
2.Ensure compliance with accounting standards, audit requirements and donor / funder financial reporting obligations.
3.Manage relationships with external accountants, auditors, banks, and financial service providers.
4.Ensure appropriate and best practice financial policies and controls are in place.
5.Ensure financial risk is identified and managed appropriately.
Fundraising & Development
1.Contribute to the organisation’s fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Co-Executive Directors and Head of Strategy.
2.Ensure systems are in place to track and manage grants, philanthropic donations, and other income streams.
3.Support the preparation of funding proposals and reports and ensure accurate and timely reporting to funders.
4.Support relationship management with key donors, foundations and partners.
Operational Systems & Processes
1.Develop and maintain efficient operational processes and systems (e.g. finance, HR, IT, data protection, office management).
2.Ensure proper policies and procedures are in place for procurement, vendor management, travel & expenses, and record-keeping.
3.Oversee the infrastructure that supports remote / hybrid working, ensuring tools and systems support collaboration, security, and productivity.
Compliance, Risk & Governance
1.Lead on organisational compliance: legal, regulatory, health & safety, data protection / GDPR, employment law.
2.Ensure the organisation’s policies and procedures are best practice, legally compliant and up to date.
3.Establish and monitor risk management frameworks and our risk register.
4.Support governance structures (internal reporting, director meetings etc.), ensuring decisions are well informed and documented.
Human Resources & People Operations
1.Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and staff development.
2.Ensure policies on equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing are embedded in how we work.
3.Foster a positive culture in line with Foxglove’s values.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
1.Lead the operations team, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, performance and support.
2.Work closely with the rest of organisation including the legal teams and advocacy to ensure operations enables, not hinders, impact.
3.Contribute to organisational strategy, helping translate strategic ambitions into operational plans.
Person specification
Below are the essential and desirable criteria for a successful candidate.
Essential
·Minimum of 5-7 years of senior operations / finance / business operations experience, including line management
·Strong experience of budgeting, forecasting, audit & financial compliance
·Excellent strategic thinking and planning skills, able to bridge between high-level strategy and operational detail
·Strong risk-management and governance experience; familiarity with compliance, data protection / GDPR, employment law etc.
·Highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities; excellent time-management skills
·Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to present complex operational, financial or legal information clearly
·Strong collaboration skills; ability to work across teams; good leadership and people management skills
Desirable
·Qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), with proven experience in financial oversight and reporting
·Experience of operating in non-profit / mission-driven / legal organisations
·Legal or compliance experience
·Experience of international operations, dealing with cross-border legal / regulatory issues
·Experience of change management and scaling teams or systems
·Understanding of, or interest in, legal, tech justice issues
·Experience of hybrid / remote team leadership
·Experience with fundraising finances, grants management, donor reports
Length and salary
This is a permanent full-time role with six-month probation period.
How to apply
Please make your application via the link to Applied provided by 9am on Tuesday 10 February (please disregard Charity Jobs' deadline), answering the application questions and uploading your CV. We will not review applications sent via a job board or to our email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with first round interviews likely to take place in mid February for selected candidates.
Foxglove does not use AI in its recruitment processes, except to detect applications for AI use. As a tech-justice organisation, we ask the same of our candidates.
Foxglove is growing and we are striving to build a team that is inclusive. We will create a diverse and adaptable environment where we support people to do their best work. We believe an effective and creative team is made up of people from different walks of life. You can read more about how we work and what we offer our staff on our website.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to complete this process, or have any questions, please get in touch with us.
If you would like to know more about how we process your data as part of the recruitment process you can read our recruitment data use policy on our website.
Non Charity Employer
6 - 10
Foxglove is an independent non-profit organisation that fights to make tech fair.
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!
As Finance and Operations Manager at Fight Bladder Cancer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and building our finance and operational functions at a strategic level.
You will support all aspects of the charity’s work and development through the provision of strong financial assistance - ensuring accurate financial reporting, sales and other invoicing, bookkeeping, grant management and payroll management.
You will also take day-to-day responsibility for organisational administration.
This role will involve close collaboration with our small team (currently 7.5 FTE) to ensure our day-to-day finance and operational requirements are met, working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to build greater financial resilience and strategic financial awareness within the charity.
You will be responsible for the line management of the part-time Office Manager and part-time Charity Administrator.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Open Rights Group (ORG) is recruiting for a Pre-Crime Programme Manager
The Pre-Crime Programme Manager leads our work on predictive policing and surveillance within the criminal legal system and counter-terrorism policy, with a particular focus on raising awareness of, and challenging, the impact on over-policed and over-surveilled communities.
They are responsible for the development and implementation of the Pre-Crime programme, working with the Senior Management Team (SMT) and other staff to expand the programme’s profile, network and funding opportunities.
As a Programme Lead, they will also be responsible for working with the SMT and other Area or Programme leads to further develop and uphold ORG’s values and collaborative working culture. They will be recognised as an issue-expert and senior leader within the organisation.
Activities
This is a permanent position at Open Rights Group, and we have secured a number of project grants to deliver the following activities:
- Lead and manage the Safety Not Surveillance (SNS) Coalition, the UK’s only coalition fighting to prohibit AI- and data-driven predictive policing. SNS brings together grassroots partners with national organisations to build power in communities, secure media coverage, engage decision-makers and mobilise those with lived experience.
- Develop detailed policy positions on the deployment of AI and data-driven technologies by private and public actors in criminal justice, immigration and national security.
- Advocacy to encourage decision makers, including MPs, Lords, Government departments and the Information Commissioner’s Office, to adopt ORG’s and the coalition’s recommendations.
- Conduct campaigns that raise awareness of the threats posed to people’s digital rights by the data-driven technologies in policing and counter-terrorism, as well as more broadly.
- Through research and FOIs, help build a legal case with our partners against covert Police-led pathways under Prevent, the UK’s counter-terrorism programme.
- Opportunities to campaign against digital ID, the Online Safety Act and to protect freedom of expression.
What we’re looking for
Above all else, we need a passionate and effective advocate. And as regards the rest, we’re more interested in your skills, rather than your knowledge.
You might be knowledgeable on the current and emerging technologies impacting policing and the criminal justice system.
You will likely have experiencing managing multiple projects addressing harms impacting communities that are marginalised and made vulnerable by society.
You might have a strong policy background with an interest in human rights, policing, surveillance or draconian technology.
You will have the capacity to perform simultaneous roles such as research, project planning and creating communication outputs and have the creativity and lateral thinking skills to ideate interventions and disrupt harms.
You may be bringing a wide range of contacts to the role or have the skills to build relationships with diverse stakeholders with sensitivity to their aims and values.
What the job will involve
- Research: for example on the impact of current data processing practices under the Prevent Duty on individuals and targeted communities.
- Drafting policy documents: including public-facing documents such as consultation responses and reports.
- Outreach to policy-makers: including engagement with UK MPs, Lords and councillors.
- Feeding into our campaigning work: through collaboration with our Campaigns Manager, to ensure that your policy research is fed into our campaigning and grassroots activism.
- Coalition building: through collaborating with other team-members to expand our coalition of cross-sectoral allies.
- Creating comms outputs: such as blog and video posts summarising policy submissions and campaign materials.
- Some public speaking: such as giving press quotes and interviews, as well as representing ORG at external events.
- Programme management: for example, setting goals, objectives and key performance indicators for the programme to deliver.
- Project planning: including identifying further opportunities and partnerships for programme growth.
What we’re like
ORG is a vibrant digital rights campaigning organisation. Founded in 2005, we have over 20,000 members and supporters and 10 local groups across the UK.
We uphold our human rights to free expression and privacy. We condemn and work against repressive laws or systems that deny people these rights.
We campaign, lobby, go to court – whatever it takes to build and support a movement for freedom in the digital age.
Our remote team is spread across the UK. We’re a supportive, flexible group with high standards. We’re innovative and agile. You’ll work hard but be rewarded by the impact you collaboratively achieve.
We take staff well-being seriously and meet up regularly for in-person work and social events.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a CV and a completed application form (downloadable when you click 'how to apply') by 9am on Monday 2 February 2026.
Please ensure that your email has the subject heading ‘Pre-Crime Programme Manager Application’ and that all attachments are sent in PDF or ODT format.
Interviews for short-listed candidates will be held online in the week commencing 9 February 2026, with the second and final interview taking place in-person the following week, starting from the 16 February 2026.
If you require any of these documents in an alternate format please contact us.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.
ORG is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diverse and inclusive team working in a supportive environment is vital to the success of our work. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from marginalised and racialised backgrounds, as well as applications from disabled and LGBTQIA+ candidates.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Are you up for a new and exciting challenge, leading one of the most effective and nimble NGOs in the transport and environment sectors in England and Wales?
Transport Action Network (TAN) is seeking a dynamic and knowledgeable CEO to lead its remote team of six.
Since it was set up in 2019, TAN has established itself as a thought leader on planning and transport matters, while providing hands-on support and advice to local communities seeking better transport solutions. It has successfully challenged government decisions and helped local communities fight off damaging road schemes. Some examples include schames that would have harmed Stonehenge World Heritage Site, South Downs National Park and Rimrose Valley Country Park in Liverpool.
TAN is currently supporting the Queensbury Tunnel Society, trying to stop the government blocking up an old railway tunnel so that it can be repurposed for a new greenway. It is also opposing the Lower Thames Crossing 'smart' motorway.
Fancy, getting involved and making a difference?
We look forward to hearing from you.
Deadline for returning completed applications is 23:59 (GMT), Sunday 1st February, 2026
First interviews: 27th February and 4/5th March
In addition to answering the above questions, please include a statement (max 1000 words) explaining why you want this job, what relevant experience you have and provide examples of how you meet the key responsibilities and essential person specifications.
Non Charity Employer
6 - 10
To support local communities and individuals fight damaging or unfair transport proposals and to press for more sustainable and equitable solutions
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.