Homelessness support worker jobs in Edinburgh
Do you have the ability to lead and motivate others, and a real desire to make structural change for those facing homelessness and poor housing conditions? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Senior Housing Rights Worker and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping to identify and resolve the homelessness and bad housing issues facing local communities
About the role
You’ll be responsible for delivering high quality housing advice, advocacy and casework to clients in community settings and remotely in line with local pressing issues and managing others in this. You will develop relationships within the sector to gather evidence and insights into the impact of the housing emergency and using those insights to drive systems change. You will lead on the development and delivery of a programme of capacity building, ensuring other organisations have the skills to act on housing rights. Influencing a range of stakeholders and decision makers across the housing sector will be important too.
You will act as a leader within the project and the wider Communities Team to help deliver and evidence our strategy at an operational level. We will count on you to line manage, supervise, coach and mentor a housing rights worker.
Role specifics
To succeed, you’ll need to have experience of working with, and influencing, a range of internal and external stakeholders and enjoy collaborating with people from other teams and organisations. You’ll also need great time management skills, an enthusiasm for delivering workshops and presentations and a willingness to challenge practice and hold people to account. You’ll have a flair for leading and motivating others. Adept at engaging with individuals and communities, you enjoy gathering evidence and identifying insights, issues and trends. What’s more, you present information and arguments in a clear and compelling way and have excellent problem-solving skills.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
Our three Communities Teams are responsible for identifying, investigating and intervening in housing and homelessness practice issues. We engage with our local communities to understand the issues people are facing and apply expert housing knowledge, insight and analysis to identify solutions to them. As well as providing advice and advocacy for individuals, we also use our insight, relationships and influence to drive systemic change, always ensuring that Lived Experience is at the heart of everything we do.
About Shelter Scotland
Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Harris Hill is proud to be partnering with the Community Land Trust Network to recruit a New Business, Partnerships and Innovation Manager — an exciting opportunity to join a highly respected national charity championing land justice, community ownership and social equity.
About the Role
Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £45,200–£55,200 (depending on skills and experience)
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract, with potential to become permanent
Working Hours:
· 3 days / 21 hours per week (with reduced duties), or
· 4 days / 28 hours per week
Working pattern negotiable
Location: Remote/home-based
This newly created role will play a pivotal part in expanding the charity’s income and influence. You will:
- Lead on new business development, nurturing existing supporters and securing new partnerships with developers, housing associations, local authorities, funders and other stakeholders.
- Shape and grow their consultancy and service offer, helping reduce reliance on grant funding.
- Support the roll-out of their Growth Lab, working with practitioners and community groups to develop innovative models, products and services for Community Land Trusts.
- Capture insights, impact and learning to strengthen the case for scaling these innovations.
- Work closely with the CEO on funding proposals, partnership development and strategic initiatives.
This role offers variety, influence and the chance to help shape a major area of the charity’s future work. The team operates fully remotely, with a warm, collaborative culture and a strong focus on wellbeing.
About You
They are looking for someone who:
- Has experience in partnerships, business development, philanthropy or account management — and enjoys turning opportunities into long-term relationships.
- Communicates with clarity, confidence and professionalism across sectors including business, charity, local government and community groups.
- Is entrepreneurial, proactive and excited by innovation and co-creation.
- Shares a commitment to social justice, equity and community-led change.
Key Dates
- Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026
- Interviews: Week commencing 12th January 2026
How to Apply
Please email Hannah Laking at Harris Hill to request the full job pack, or you can download it directly from this advert. If you’d like to learn more about the role, you’re welcome to book a call with Hannah. Alternatively, you can simply send your CV and supporting statement which must follow the structure outlined in the job pack before the closing date, and Hannah will get in touch.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.