Small grants officer jobs in Edinburgh

Do you share our dream of a UK where poverty is a thing of the past?  

Founded in 2019, the Poverty Truth Network believes this can only happen when those most impacted by poverty are at the heart of the movement to end it. Our specific contribution brings together people experiencing poverty with those with responsibilities for alleviating it.

We are now recruiting for an Administrative Coordinator to join our team. 

This is a key enabling role within a small, relational and values-led organisation. The Administrative Coordinator will provide coordinating and administrative support across the Network, helping ensure smooth systems, high-quality financial administrative and shared working practices across a dispersed team. 

You will be a highly organised and dependable administrator, with experience supporting finance and digital systems, and a clear commitment to social justice and relational ways of working. 

Key tasks include:

• Coordinating meetings, events and trustee processes 

• Providing hands-on finance administration, including bookkeeping using Xero 

• Supporting digital systems, CRM and data stewardship 

• Maintaining accurate records and shared documentation 

• Contributing to consistent, relational and accountable ways of working across the Network 

This role involves working from home with some travel. 

We welcome applications from people with the necessary skills and experience from all walks of life, particularly those from communities underrepresented in the charity sector. 

How to apply 

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 sides of A4) explaining how your skills and experience match this role. Please include the names and contact details of two referees (at least one of whom knows you in a professional capacity). 

The application deadline is 23:30 on Wednesday 25th March.

Interviews will be held online on 1st and 2nd April.

Applications will only be considered from applicants who already have the right to work within the United Kingdom. 

About Play for Progress 

Play for Progress is a small but mighty London-based charity dedicated to improving the lives of young unaccompanied refugees and asylum seekers. We provide a safe, welcoming environment where young people aged 14-25 can access practical support, education, wellbeing programmes, and a genuine sense of community. Our work is driven by a deep belief that every young person — regardless of where they come from — deserves the chance to thrive. 

We are a close-knit team with a flat structure, a strong values-led culture, and a real commitment to involving the young people we serve in everything we do. 

The Role 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to play a central role in the sustainable growth of our charity. As Finance Manager, you will be the financial heartbeat of the organisation — ensuring robust financial management, supporting our fundraising and grant compliance, and providing the Executive Director and Board with the financial insight they need to make good decisions. 

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who is comfortable working across all aspects of charity finance in a small team, and who brings both technical skill and a genuine commitment to our mission. 

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting 

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records using accounting software (currently Xero ) 

• Prepare clear and insightful monthly management accounts for the ED and Board of Trustees 

• Monitor cash flow, manage banking, and provide regular financial forecasts 

• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with the ED and programme leads 

• Help Budget leads to manage devolved targets through reports and Quarterly Review 

• Prepare year-end statutory accounts and liaise with the external independent examiners or auditors 

• Ensure financial systems, processes and controls are fit for purpose and continuously improved 

Grant & Fund Management 

• Maintain accurate tracking of all restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring full compliance with funder terms and conditions 

• Prepare timely and accurate financial reports for statutory, trust and individual funders 

• Support the ED and fundraiser with budget development for grant applications 

• Monitor programme spend against budgets and proactively flag underspends, overspends or risks 

• Support due diligence processes for new funders and partnerships 

Payroll & HR Finance 

• Manage monthly payroll for employees, including PAYE, National Insurance and auto-enrolment pension 

• Process staff expense claims and ensure adherence to the expenses policy 

• Maintain accurate staff financial records and support HR administration as needed

Governance & Compliance 

• Ensure the charity operates in compliance with Charity Commission regulations, SORP and relevant financial legislation 

• Prepare and submit annual returns to the Charity Commission and Companies House.

• Complete all required Company secretarial duties

• Review, maintain and implement financial policies and procedures

• Support the Board meetings, including preparing papers, attending meetings and responding to trustee queries 

General & Organisational 

• Process purchase invoices, supplier payments and income receipts in a timely manner 

• Support the wider team with financial queries, guidance and informal training

• Contribute to organisational planning, risk management and strategy as part of the senior team 

• Carry out any other duties reasonably requested by the ED 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (AAT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or qualified by significant relevant experience 

• Demonstrable experience in a finance management role, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector 

• Strong working knowledge of charity accounting, fund accounting and the Charities SORP 

• Proven experience managing restricted and unrestricted grant funds 

• Proficiency with accounting software (e.g. Xero, QuickBooks or Sage) and Microsoft Excel 

• Experience preparing management accounts, year-end accounts and budgets 

• Experience managing payroll (in-house or via an external provider) 

• Excellent attention to detail and high degree of accuracy 

• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and trustees 

• Self-motivated and able to work independently and prioritise effectively in a small team 

• A genuine commitment to the rights, dignity and potential of young refugees and asylum seekers 

Desirable 

• Experience working in a refugee, asylum, migration or broader human rights context 

• Familiarity with funding from Trusts and Foundations and complex funder reporting requirements 

• Experience supporting Board-level governance, including Finance Sub-Committees 

• Experience of working in an organisation going through a period of growth or change 

What We Offer 

• A flexible, supportive and genuinely values-led working environment 

• The opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of young people who have overcome extraordinary challenges 

• 20 days annual leave pro rata, plus bank holidays 

• Employer pension contribution of 3% 

• Remote and flexible working arrangements 

• Regular supervision, an open-door culture, and access to professional development 

• A diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve 

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

Play for Progress is an equal opportunities employer. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, and those with lived experience of the refugee or asylum journey. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and heard. 

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Help shape the future of co‑production in Wales. Join us in turning local learning into national change.

We’re looking for a Programme Coordinator to support our structured strategic involvement support with public services, produce high‑quality case studies and learning outputs, and help us influence national conversations on co‑production. This role sits at the heart of our evolving programme, connecting local insights to the wider policy landscape and supporting better co-production and involvement practice across Wales.

You will help gather and communicate learning from our local work with Public Services Boards (PSBs) and other partners, contributing to a clear, national picture of how co‑production is working in practice. You will work closely with the Programme Manager, associate consultants and local contacts to support project delivery, events, and sharing learning outputs.

Contract type: Fixed term (until 31 August 2027)

Hours: 30 hours per week, flexible working patterns

Salary: £30,000 per annum pro rata (£24,324 per annum actual), plus work from home allowance of £26 per month

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum pro rata (20 days actual), plus 8 statutory Bank Holidays and a 2-week office closure at Christmas

Location: Remote, with travel for meetings across Wales (Wales-based applicant preferred)

Brief person specification

Knowledge and experience

Experience of coordinating projects or programmes involving multiple partners.

Experience of writing clear and engaging content (e.g. blogs, case studies, articles, reports).

Experience of organising online and/or in‑person events.

Experience using digital tools for communication, coordination and collaboration (e.g. Google Suite, WordPress, social media, CRM/contact lists).

Skills and attributes

Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

Strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise effectively and manage several concurrent tasks.

Able to interpret information, identify learning and present it clearly.

Ability to build and maintain trusting, professional relationships with a wide range of partners.

Attention to detail in written materials, data handling and resource preparation.

General

Commitment to co‑production, involvement and social justice.

Comfortable working independently, drawing on your own initiative.

Curiosity, empathy and a willingness to learn from others.

Able to work well as part of a team and to work on a range of collaborative projects to advance the work of the network.

Recruitment pack, including full role description and person specification, is available when clicking "Apply Now" below.

As part of your cover letter, please submit a statement addressing the full criteria as listed in the recruitment pack.