Jobs for the Animal sector in scotland

Team: Community Veterinary 

Location: Remote based in the South West/Wales/West Midlands with significant travel

Work pattern: 35 hours per week

Salary: Up to £63,142.93 per year

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our Community Veterinary Surgeon:

• To support the Chief Veterinary Officer in the development and delivery of veterinary services throughout the Charity with specific responsibility for the South West/Wales and the West Midlands.
• Support centre and volunteer site management through visits, conferences, and meetings to ensure effective operations and adherence to veterinary and welfare standards.
• Collaborate with the Chief Veterinary Officer and other vets to develop and implement unified policies for cat welfare, treatment, and homing, with Trustee approval.
• Assist in training and educating volunteers, staff, vets, and the public; deliver presentations and work with Education and L&D teams to enhance training programs.
• Provide veterinary-related support and guidance to centres, volunteer sites, regional vets, the complaints department, and the Helpline.

About the Community Veterinary team:

• We are a team of 4 Community Veterinary Surgeons who are all regionally based providing veterinary advice to the Cats Protection network across the UK
• The Community Veterinary Surgeons report into the Senior Community Veterinary Manager
• We are all remote workers but successfully support each other through weekly catch-up meetings, in-person meetings and a strong team ethos of collaboration and case discussion
• We support many other teams across the organisation involved in the welfare of our cats in care. These teams include our operational colleagues, the cat welfare team and our team of regional behaviourists

What we’re looking for in our Community Veterinary Surgeon:

• Experience of working in small animal veterinary practice with associated shelter/charity experience
• Sound, current knowledge of feline medicine, contextualised care, animal welfare, veterinary medicines legislation
• Degree in veterinary medicine
• Must be currently registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to practice in the UK
• Able to work accurately and under pressure

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: 6th November 2025

Virtual interview date: w/c 17th November 2025

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. anonymised application form
2. virtual interview with a presentation

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Please email us if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.

Undercover Investigator (Independent Contractor)

Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: United Kingdom (with international assignments possible)
Contract Type: Independent Contractor

About the Role

As an Undercover Investigator with the Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP), you will work as part of a dedicated and highly skilled investigations team committed to disrupting organised animal cruelty and protecting animals worldwide.

You’ll be tasked with carrying out covert, intelligence-led operations aligned with AWIP’s Strategic Plan — targeting organised, serious, and complex cruelty within industries that use animals for human consumption.

Assignments will vary from short-term deployments to multi-month undercover placements within agricultural or associated sectors. You may also support other high-priority investigations, such as deploying covert surveillance equipment to assist ongoing animal fighting, wildlife crime, or puppy farming cases.

This work demands resilience, adaptability, and absolute discretion. You’ll operate in challenging environments, often under cover, gathering high-quality intelligence and evidence to support enforcement action and criminal prosecutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct covert investigations and gather evidential material in line with AWIP’s operational protocols and evidentiary standards.

• Undertake long-term employment-based assignments in industries using animals for human consumption.

• Deploy covert and technical surveillance equipment to support intelligence-led investigations.

• Conduct research to identify investigative targets, networks, and patterns of organised animal crime.

• Produce accurate daily logs, reports, and evidentiary submissions while maintaining strict chain-of-custody procedures.

• Work collaboratively with solicitors, prosecutors, and law enforcement partners to support prosecutions and intelligence-led operations.

• Provide witness statements and give evidence in court when required.

• Ensure the confidentiality of all sensitive material and operational matters.

• Maintain regular communication with the Investigations & Intelligence Team regarding case activity and developments.

• Uphold AWIP’s mission and values in all aspects of your work.

Essential Requirements

• Strong alignment with AWIP’s mission to investigate, disrupt, protect, and rescue animals from organised cruelty.

• Proven ability to work independently, including in isolated or high-pressure environments.

• Confidence operating covert recording equipment and strong photography/videography skills.

• Excellent observation and attention to detail.

• Ability to adapt quickly, make sound judgments under pressure, and take calculated risks when necessary.

• Strong written communication and reporting skills.

• Full UK right to work and valid driving licence.

• Willingness to travel extensively and remain away from home for prolonged periods (typically 2–4 months per assignment; accommodation and expenses covered).

• Professional, discreet, and capable of maintaining operational secrecy at all times.

Desirable

• Prior experience in covert investigations, intelligence gathering, or law enforcement.

• Understanding of animal agriculture, animal fighting, or wildlife crime.

• Familiarity with evidentiary procedures and working with legal teams or enforcement agencies.

The Person

We’re looking for someone audacious, determined, and mission-driven — someone who thrives under pressure, has a meticulous eye for detail, and possesses an unshakeable commitment to protecting animals from harm.

Team: Centre

Location: Based at Forth Valley Cat Centre with occasional travel across Dundee & Fife to support surrounding Volunteer Teams

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, 1 in 2 weekends, variable shift pattern covering 7 days per week, 7 hours per day

Salary: Up to £37,565.95 per year

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our Centre Manager:

• Manage all employees and volunteers within the centre and within the communities of Forth Valley, Fife and Dundee
• Be responsible for the high standard of care given to the cats within the centre, ensuring welfare and veterinary procedures are adhered to 
• Actively promote the values and aims of Cats Protection to all employees and volunteers as well as the local community
• Engage in activities such as trap, neuter and release and community engagement across the Forth Valley, Fife and Dundee regions
• Actively promote the importance of donations, fundraising and other income within the centre and to the general public

About the centre team:

• Our adoption and homing centres care for thousands of cats each year until they are able to find a loving new home. 
• Our team is made up of a Centre Manager, Deputy Centre Manager, Volunteer Team Leader and Rehoming and Welfare Assistants

What we’re looking for in our Centre Manager:

• Previous line management experience
• Experience of managing budgets
• Working knowledge of animal welfare and experience in the sector
• Proven ability to multi-task, work on own initiative, delegate tasks and work under pressure
• Excellent customer service skills
• A full, manual driving license is essential as driving of centre vans is required as well as travel across the region

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: 4th November 2025

Interview date: TBC

Please note, we do not accept applications or speculative CVs from agencies.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable.  You may be just the right candidate. 

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. anonymised application form
2. virtual interview on Microsoft Teams

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Senior Financial Accountant - Restricted Income
Reference: OCT20254404
Location: Flexible in UK
Contract: 12 months, fixed term
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £47,313.00 - £50,309.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave

Are you a qualified accountant looking to make meaningful impact? This is an exciting opportunity to join the RSPB’s dynamic Finance team and contribute to one of the UK’s most influential conservation charity. With an annual income exceeding £170m and over 1.15 million members, the RSPB combines charitable impact with a substantial commercial operation - offering you both challenge and opportunity.

This role plays a pivotal part in embedding the Overhead Cost Recovery (OCR) internal recharge mechanism into our financial operations. The OCR initiative is designed to improve how we cost projects and recover overheads, aiming to deliver a net financial benefit of approximately £1million annually. By supporting this initiative, you will help drive financial sustainability, improve cost transparency, and enable better decision making across the organisation.

As a Senior Financial Accountant - Restricted Income, you will be a key member of the Financial Planning & Reporting team. Your responsibilities will include:

• Implementing the OCR mechanism: - set-up coding structures and integrate overhead recovery into financial systems and reporting templates.
• Project-level financial management: - Execute debits/credits, track overhead recovery, and monitor funding gaps using a standard 15% OCR rate.
• Stakeholder engagement: - Collaborate with Project Managers and Fundraisers to assess and communicate OCR funding status.
• Financial Planning and modelling: - Prepare and present budgetary analysis, support strategic decision-making, and contribute to long term financial planning.
• FCR tool ownership: - Maintain and update the Full Cost Recovery Projects costing tool and associated guidance, ensuring effective training and usage. 

This role offers the opportunity to influence financial strategy and improve operational efficiency across a complex and diverse organisation.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

Qualification:

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA or equivalent). 

Skills:

• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Advanced excel skills.

Knowledge:

• Solid understanding of financial management and processes and double-entry accounting.
• Familiarity with financial management standards and charity sector regulations.

Experience:

• Proven management accounting experience.
• Track record of delivering projects that improve profitability or efficiency.
• Experience preparing reports for external stakeholders (e.g. HMRC, Charity Commission)

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience with accounting software within a medium sized organisation.
• Experience of liaising with auditors, trustees, and regulatory bodies

Additional information:

• This role is remote, but occasional travel to RSPB HQ in Sandy and other UK locations may be required. Overnight stays may be necessary.
• This is a 12-months fixed-term full-time role for 37.5 hours per week.
• The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.
• You will be expected to support our Environmental Policy and promote sustainability in your work.
• Volunteers are integral to the RSPB’s mission - staff are encouraged to support and collaborate with them.

Closing date: 23:59, Sunday, 2nd November 2025
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 10 November, 2025.  
Please note that we will be actively recruiting for this role and reserve the right to close this vacancy should sufficient applications be received.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. 

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form with cover letter. Please use the cover letter section to explain how you meet the criteria set above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.

Working within the Development and Outreach Department, (responsible for fundraising, marketing and communications) the Partnerships Team crafts and steward collaborations with companies and brands, in the UK and globally, to generate significant income, raise awareness of WDC brand and work and advocate for positive action.

The Partnerships manager:

- is responsible for developing and implementing a strategy, alongside the corporate engagement lead, to deliver an agreed annual income target, across charitable and trading activities and facilitate valuable in-kind support for WDC.

- is required to expertly research, develop, manage, and enhance relationships with new and existing partners across a diverse range of sectors.

- will be an adept communicator, capable of thinking on their feet, delivering inspiring pitches with authority and securing buy in from colleagues across WDC, and external stakeholders.

- will lead a varied and exciting area of fundraising, covering a diverse range of activities and opportunities which involves balancing the needs of WDC colleagues with external partners.

Natural Heritage Officer (Inverbroom) 

Salary: £25,750 - £27,295 

Location: Ullapool, Inverbroom 

Status: Full time, Permanent 

Closing date: Wednesday 12 November 2025 

Interviews: We anticipate conducting interview in person at Inverbroom, Wednesday 26th November 2025 

We’re looking for a committed Natural Heritage Officer to help protect and enhance our natural environment for future generations. As a Natural Heritage Officer you will be in a unique position to support the planning and delivery of nature conservation works, including securing a baseline understanding of natural heritage across our newest and largest wildlife reserve. 

About the Role 

You will work closely with the project team, the post holder will undertake practical conservation and reserve management tasks, carrying out standardised reserve checks (including access infrastructure and fence surveys and tree safety inspections) and delivering remedial works either directly or with contractors when appropriate. The role will also develop and deliver public engagement activities and volunteering opportunities such as volunteer work parties and citizen science events, to connect people with Inverbroom’s natural heritage.. 

About You 

You’ll bring: 

· Relevant degree or N/SVQ Level 3 / 4 or equivalent demonstrable experience relating to countryside management. 

· Certification to NPTC/Lantra standards and experience in chainsaw maintenance, cross cutting and felling small trees. CS 30 and 31 or willingness to undergo qualification. • Certification to NPTC/Lantra standards and experience in strimmer and brushcutter operations or willingness to undergo qualification. Certificate for trailer, all-terrain vehicles or willingness to undergo qualification. 

· 2 years of planning and delivering practical conservation work. 

· 2 years of volunteer supervision & management, including designing and delivering events &/or activities. 

· Demonstrable experience in the safe use and maintenance of hand and power tools. 

· Good understanding of land management for wildlife conservation. 

· Good natural history skills and a knowledge of the species and habitats found in Scotland. 

· Health & Safety legislation/procedures relating to outdoor working. 

Why Join Us? 

We are a leading conservation charity with a bold vision for a connected, resilient landscape where nature and people thrive. This role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on one of Scotland’s most ambitious restoration projects. 

For more information regarding aspects of the role, please refer to the Job Description. 

Ecologist (Inverbroom) 

Salary: £27,000 - £28,500 

Location: Ullapool, Inverbroom  

Status: Fixed term until February 2027 

Closing date: Wednesday 12 November 2025 

Interviews: We anticipate conducting interview in person at Inverbroom, Thursday 27th November 2025 

Are you passionate about protecting and understanding the natural world? We’re looking for a dedicated Ecologist to support the development phase of a landmark conservation initiative at Inverbroom, a 7,000-hectare reserve in the Scottish Highlands. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of landscape-scale restoration, working with a passionate team and a wide range of stakeholders to deliver nature-positive outcomes for people and wildlife. 

About the Role 

You will: 

· Oversee contracted habitat surveys including National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys across the Reserve. 

· Undertake habitat condition assessment surveys and woodland Herbivore Impact Assessments (HIAs). Oversee contracted dwarf shrub heath and blanket bog HIAs. 

· Undertake protected species surveys, including but not limited to otter, water vole, red squirrel, pine marten, badger and bat surveys. 

· Undertake breeding bird surveys, including upland wader surveys. 

· Oversee contracted ecological river surveys. 

· Undertake Invasive Non-Native Species surveys, including plants and mammals. 

About You 

You’ll bring: 

· Proven comprehensive knowledge of Scottish habitats and species experience 

· Significant experience in ecological surveys/monitoring, ideally including habitats, birds and protected mammals 

· Significant experience of preparation of reports and presentation of key results 

· Knowledge of data management techniques for ecological survey data 

· Why Join Us? 

We are a leading conservation charity with a bold vision for a connected, resilient landscape where nature and people thrive. This role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on one of Scotland’s most ambitious restoration projects. 

For more information on the role and what we offer please see our job descriptions and benefits page.