Recruitment graduate administrator jobs in Edinburgh

If this sounds like you, then our four-month (7th September to 18th December 2026), salaried Grant Fundraising Traineeship might be the perfect opportunity for you.

Chell Perkins is looking for four individuals with excellent writing skills who want to learn how to fundraise from grantmakers. 

Our industry-leading paid traineeship (monthly equivalent of a £24,792 annual salary) will see you writing grant applications for multiple charities and gaining a recognised certificate with education credits towards CFRE to kickstart your fundraising career. There are up to four vacancies at Chell Perkins, and at the end of the course trainees will be eligible to apply for a permanent position.

“This programme has been an amazing opportunity to work with so many different clients, and constantly learn new skills on the job. I have learned so much.” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

This immersive programme is home-based with quality training and plenty of support from other experienced fundraisers.

“The hands-on training opportunities that come with a role at Chell Perkins are invaluable for anyone who is looking to get into fundraising. I don't think you could find a more immersive and rewarding experience in the charity sector anywhere else!” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

Why Chell Perkins?

At the end of our Grant Fundraising Traineeship, you will be a confident and capable fundraiser. But there’s much more to the scheme than that. The Chell Perkins team are a great bunch of people to work with. We really care about our partner charities and YOUR future. Our supportive and empowering work culture will enable you to realise your own potential.

“This programme is truly unique and rewarding. I recommend it to anyone thinking of beginning a fundraising career.” Junior Fundraiser, 2020

Client mix

Candidates should be aware that at present, 70% of our partner charities come from a Christian background (churches or Christian charities). While it is not a requirement to be Christian, candidates must be happy to write for a faith-based audience.

Applications

This role is home-based; however, you may occasionally be required to work from client sites across the UK.

For more details about this opportunity, contact us and request a copy of the Job Description & Person Specification document.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 4th May 2026 for positions starting on 7th September 2026.

If our Grant Fundraising Traineeship sounds like it could be a perfect fit for you, why not apply? We look forward to hearing from you!

To apply for this role, please complete our job application and email it to us with a recent CV and a covering letter. In your covering letter, we are looking for:

• Evidence of strong written communication skills
• Passion for the third sector, and in particular fundraising
• Ability to write persuasively
• Evidence that you have carefully researched the role and our organisation.

Click 'how to apply' below for the email address to send your application to, and for more information on the role and person specification.

A note about generative AI use

As an agency we are not against the use of AI to research or help improve the quality of your application. However, we strongly advise against using AI to generate copy for you. Last year, over 40 applications contained sections with identical wording, due to the use of generative AI. As a result, we could not get to know the applicants from their writing, and subsequently had to reject all of these applications.

In this exciting and varied role, within our growing Engagement Directorate you will be part of the core team responsible for delivering the charities special events portfolio to maximise support and increase income.

In undertaking this work, you will always need to be one step ahead with excellent customer service skills. You will be organised and have proven project management skills, confident in solving problems, ability to deliver on KPI’s and take a creative and collaborative approach to deliver outstanding events.

Key Responsibilities 

Event Planning & Development 

• Support the management and delivery of a programme of special events across the UK.
• Collaboratively research and identify new event opportunities.
• Support the development and delivery of opportunities for corporate engagement and sponsorship.
• Identify opportunities to cross‑sell other projects and income‑generation initiatives at events where appropriate.

Financial Management & Performance 

• Assist with producing information required for budgets and event plans.
• Support the achievement of financial and non‑financial targets.
• Develop a network of leads able to provide gifts in kind to help reduce event expenditure.

Event Delivery & On-the-Day Support

• Attend events and support the Senior Events Fundraiser with on‑the‑day coordination and delivery.

Stakeholder, Supporter & Volunteer Engagement 

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams and contribute to the development of the supporter stewardship journey.
• Cultivate, steward and recruit new and existing supporters and volunteers to participate in a range of events.
• Arrange and deliver tours of Ronald McDonald Houses for existing and prospective donors.

Marketing, Communications & Representation 

• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to produce appropriate fundraising materials and maximise public relations opportunities.
• Represent Ronald McDonald House Charities UK at fundraising meetings and presentations as required.

Data Management, Reporting & Insights

• Manage and record event communications and information, including income and expenditure.
• Contribute to reports, data analysis and trend monitoring using database reporting.
• Identify issues, suggest solutions and support continuous improvement of events activity.

Skills & Experience 

• Experience working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, building strong and effective relationships
• Strong customer service, communication and presentation skills
• Well organised, with strong planning skills and attention to detail
• Able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience supporting or working within a fundraising team (desirable)
• Confident developing and managing sensitive or complex relationships
• Proactive and creative approach to fundraising and problem‑solving
• Skilled in networking, negotiation and decision‑making
• Good numeracy skills, with the ability to analyse and report on financial performance
• Experience assessing and managing financial, marketing and reputational risk (desirable)
• Competent in MS Office and the use of databases to manage information
• Full driving licence (desirable)

We seek to appoint a community pioneer for ‘Earthed’, a relatively new initiative that seeks to work across the Almondsbury and Severnside area (South Gloucestershire)

The successful applicant will be supported fully so they are free to wander and seek to respond to where God is calling. Applicants will be creative visionaries, who are resilient and able to respond to the challenges such a unique role will uncover.

This isn’t about running polished events or having everything figured out. It’s about bringing people together in simple ways - walks, time around a fire, moments of reflection - and seeing what grows.

The Community Pioneer for Earthed will cultivate spaces where people can connect - with one another, with nature, and with God. These spaces will be open, authentic, and welcoming, especially to those who are curious, questioning, or exploring faith.