Institute Officer Jobs in Edinburgh

Global Canopy is a data-driven not for profit that targets the market forces destroying nature. We do this by improving transparency and accountability. Our focus is on open data, aligned metrics and strong regulation, to help powerful organisations stop nature-related impacts and realise opportunities for positive action. 

 We do this through an interlinked portfolio of programmes: 

1. Our Supply Chain Transparency Programme delivers a step change in the transparency of the trade and financing of high-risk commodity supply chains – like soy, palm oil and cattle (see Trase).
2. Our Corporate Performance Programme works to improve the quality and uptake of sustainability and social metrics for the global companies most impacting forests and nature (Forest 500, ForestIQ).
3. Our Nature-related Finance Programme creates the tools and frameworks to help Financial Institutions, corporates and governments to shift global financial flows away from nature-negative outcomes and toward nature-positive outcomes (see ENCORE and TNFD).

Our tools and platforms are used by Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions, national and regional governments, and some of the world’s most effective campaigning organisations.

GC is supported by governments including the UK, Norway, Germany and Switzerland; by major trusts and foundations including the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation,  Quadrature and the Waterloo Foundations; and by a growing group of individual major donors and family offices. We have deep partnerships with the UNEP Finance Initiative, Stockholm Environment Institute, UNDP, WWF and ZSL among others. 

We work globally, but have focal regions in Latin America, Indonesia, Europe and China. Our team of around 45 people is mostly based out of our Oxford office, but we have team members also based across forest regions and major markets worldwide.

Purpose

Global Canopy (GC) is looking for an experienced Earth Observation Specialist who can step in and work with the team to deliver an ‘Earth Observation for Nature Finance’ pilot. The pilot project aims to explore and strengthen the role of open access earth observation (EO) data towards leveraging financial mechanisms for nature finance. The pilot will focus on agricultural portfolios, with scope to include forestry portfolios to conduct analysis leveraging ESA Sentinel data on a use case to be defined by a financial service institution project partner. The exact use case will be specified over the coming months and can both be to conduct an analysis leveraging satellite data to assess land use change linked to financed companies and their supply chains or to assess sustainable practices of financed companies in the forestry sector.

Today, few corporations disclose geolocation-specific supplier lists for key high-risk commodities including soft commodities and timber. If and when they do disclose, the data is often at jurisdiction or municipality-level, lacking asset-level detail. As a result, land conversion is difficult to link to corporate supply chains. If the final use case will be to analyse land conversion in financed agricultural supply chains then the EO expert will use Sentinel data to conduct an analysis which enables identification of land conversion events alongside potential underlying drivers, allowing FIs to engage with financed companies and support disclosure. This approach aims to improve FI understanding of land conversion dynamics, enhancing engagement with investees towards more sustainable land management practices. If the use case instead will focus on the forestry sector, then the EO expert will conduct analysis using Sentinel data to identify what types of insights on sustainable forest management practices can be generated from Sentinel data sets and conduct that analysis. The results will be shared and discussed with the financial service institution and the EO expert will need to conduct and lead the technical presentation.

The consultant will be responsible for researching geolocation specific datasets, available open source and in proprietary databases. If the final use case will be for agriculture then the consultant will leverage the supply shed approach, utilising datasets such as the TRASE database and the Universal Mill List to determine supply shed sizes. This will serve as a starting point to address current challenges. If the final use case will be on sustainable forestry then the EO expert will leverage geolocation data from  the financial service institution to overlay with satellite data to conduct the technical analysis.

What work do we want a consultant to do?

Global Canopy is seeking a supply chain EO expert for two to three days a week over the course of 14 months to conduct technical hands-on data analysis work for the specific final use case to be selected. The EO expert will work collaboratively as part of a small team, predominantly collaborating with the project coordinator and the piloting bank to deliver this pilot. The EO expert will be responsible for undertaking the technical data analysis applying Sentinel data to the use case. The successful candidate will research relevant datasets to be tested and support the financial institution to utilise the supply shed approach, if the final use case will be in the agricultural sector, and other relevant approaches if the final use case is for the forestry sector. 

The EO expert must have previous experience dealing with earth observation data.

Applicants should be able to complete the work remotely between May 2025 until the end of June 2026, with the work being completed during 8-6pm UK time (hours are flexible within this period). 

Key Responsibilities

1. Pilot design 

The EO expert, in collaboration with the FI, will be responsible for designing the pilot, identifying the methodology to be used for the purpose of the analysis. 

2. Research, analysis and measurement of supply sheds 

The EO expert will research geolocation specific datasets available open source and in proprietary databases. The EO Expert will conduct the technical analysis using Sentinel EO data to answer the key questions of the use case for either financed agricultural or forestry supply chains. This analysis will link the company data sets with the EO data sets to generate key insights and results to answer the use case questions. The EO expert will write a technical specification report of the analysis as a key output including specification of any data quality issues to be aware of in the use of the results. 

3. Drafting and publication of final output

The final is a paper describing the results of the EO analysis to answer the key use case questions. It will be packaged as a use case for publication detailing the pilot journey, methodology used, technical analysis output, the findings and challenges encountered during the course of the pilot project. This output will be developed to be used as a replicable example by other organisations to illustrate a financial institution’s nature journey. 

Note: The above-mentioned tasks are intended as a guide and may be modified following discussion with the selected consultant. 

Lines of communication 

The consultant will be part of Global Canopy’s Nature-related Finance programme team, working closely with the pilot project coordinator within the Nature-related Finance team, Nature-related Finance Director sitting within the consortium leadership team, as well as external piloting partners and other consortium members.

Location 

The Consultancy is able to be completed on a remote basis but location is required to be within 3hrs of CET.

Timeline 

May 2025 to the end of June 2026. 

Outputs: 

A technical analysis leveraging Sentinel data to answer the questions specified by the use case in either financed agricultural or forestry supply chains. The key questions will be on the nature-related impacts of financed supply chains, either negative or positive impacts for nature. The deliverables include a technical EO analysis answering the use case questions, the technical specifications of methodology and description of algorithms use, description of data leveraged for the analysis. This information will be used by the EO expert to collaboratively draft a use case with the team. 

Requirements

As a successful applicant you will have a strong background in spatial data and analyses, linking agricultural production systems and environmental and social impacts, preferably with a focus on tropical ecosystems and supply chains. You will be motivated by making data and research accessible to a diverse range of audiences, including the private sector, governments and civil society, and ideally have practical experience in how to drive uptake and use of data products by different users. 

Global Canopy is looking for an individual consultant with the skills and experience as detailed below. 

Essential

1. Deep knowledge of earth observation (EO) datasets and tools. Track record in design of algorithms to analyse satellite data to generate desired insights.
2. Strong writing skills with a track record of successfully delivering projects from start to finish. 
3. A strong drive to contribute to Global Canopy’s mission, a passion for sustainability and the role that the finance sector can play to drive change. 

Desirable

1. Comprehensive understanding of ESG metrics, nature-related data, tools, assessment approaches, disclosure initiatives and frameworks, sustainable finance and its mechanisms.
2. Experience engaging with the financial sector, specifically engaging financial institutions in the assessment of their nature-related issues, as well as engaging and developing good working relationships with multiple stakeholders.

Other information

Whilst our office is based in Oxford, we strongly welcome interest from candidates based in other parts of the UK, and internationally.

How to apply

To apply for the position, please use the apply button or visit our website and submit your application by 9am GMT 31st March 2025, including: 

• A cover letter – outlining your interest in our work, and how your expertise, experience and working style maps to our focal areas and requirements
• An up-to-date CV
• Your day rate in GBP 

We welcome early applications, and expressions of interest will be considered as they are received. 

By submitting your application, you consent to us holding your data in line with our policies. GC is under no obligation to engage anyone as a result of this search. Individual contracts will be negotiated as we initiate the work.

Job Title: UK Finance Manager
Reporting to: CEO, Treasurer
Works with: Finance and Operations team in Sierra Leone, Treasurer, and CEO in the UK
Location: Remote with possible meetings in London
Contract Type:

Equipment: N/A – laptop not provided
Hours: 3 days per week

Job Purpose

EducAid Sierra Leone is seeking a qualified and experienced finance professional on a part-time basis to serve as the UK-based accountant. This role involves working closely with a team in Sierra Leone to manage the month-end cycle, reporting, compliance, and budgeting for the charity.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and produce timely monthly management accounts, ensuring oversight of the accounts in Sierra Leone for accuracy and integrity.
• Provide monthly reports to the Board of Trustees, including key performance indicator tracking.
• Coordinate the annual budget and forecast process.
• Prepare financial accounts in accordance with FRS 102 and SORP, playing an active role in the audit process.
• Track and manage restricted and unrestricted reserves.
• Oversee financial aspects of donor reporting and ensure invoices are raised as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the CEO on cash flow planning.
• Manage all UK accounting, payroll, and tax compliance.
• Ensure financial processes and controls are robust and effectively implemented.
• Train and develop the finance team in Sierra Leone.
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

• Qualified accountant (ICAEW or ACCA preferred; CIMA considered).
• Prior knowledge of charity accounting (desirable) and experience in preparing financial statements for audit.
• Experience operating in a multicurrency environment (desirable).
• Strong knowledge of Sage accounting software preferred and ability to optimise its use, but knowledge of other SME packages considered
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Understanding of Sierra Leone, education, and international development.

Personal Competencies

• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Effective communicator, comfortable working with colleagues at all levels across multiple locations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexible, diplomatic, and resilient.
• Tech-savvy and systems-literate.
• Open, honest, and kind in professional relationships.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Right to work in the UK.

Organisational Competencies

• Commitment to upholding the Charity’s Code of Conduct.
• Alignment with the Charity’s vision, mission, and objectives.
• Willingness to develop additional skills in response to the charity’s evolving needs.

Are you passionate and self-motivated? Do you have excellent written and verbal communication skills? If you would like to use your abilities to raise funds for charities, Chell Perkins Ltd's Grant Fundraising Traineeships will teach you everything you need to know and you’ll get the chance to join our team of trained consultants.

Chell Perkins Ltd are looking for FOUR people who are passionate about bringing positive change through fundraising. We want to nurture a new generation of fundraisers to provide charities with access to exceptional fundraising support.

We offer a four-month/16-week fully paid traineeship (approx £1,733pm gross) working with real clients in a fundraising consultancy and gaining a recognised certificate with education credits towards CFRE to give you a real headstart in working in the charity sector. There are a number of vacancies at Chell Perkins, and at the end of the course trainees will be eligible to apply for a permanent position.

This immersive programme starts on 1st September 2025 and is home-based, with high-quality training and plenty of support from our experienced fundraising team.

Why Chell Perkins?

At the end of our Grant Fundraising Traineeship, you will be a confident and capable grant 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

“The traineeship was an amazing opportunity, and I learnt so much about fundraising and the charity sector in such an engaging way. Everyone in the team is so friendly and supportive, you couldn't work with or learn from anyone better.” Class of 2023 and now a Fundraising Officer with Chell Perkins

“This traineeship has given me a headstart in my fundraising career and I couldn’t be more grateful! I left university with a love for charity work but little idea as to how I could use that passion in my everyday life, but this traineeship has helped me develop the skills and knowledge I need to make a real difference in the charity sector.” Class of 2023 and now a Fundraising Officer with Chell Perkins

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.

Further information

This role is home-based; however, we hold quarterly in-person team days, and you may occasionally be required to work from client sites (nationally, with a North West focus).

The traineeship will start on 1 September and will run until 19 December 2025. Candidates must be available to start on the first day of the traineeship. Interviews and offers will take place from March onwards.

For more details, download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification document.

How to apply

If our Grant Fundraising Traineeship sounds like it could be a perfect fit for you, why not apply?

Email a completed application form, a recent CV and a covering letter to our Office Manager (see 'How to apply' below).

In your covering letter, we are looking for:
● Evidence of strong written communication skills, and ability to write persuasively
● Passion for the third sector, and in particular fundraising
● Evidence that you have carefully researched the role and our organisation.

Using AI

We recognise that many applicants use AI tools like ChatGPT for drafting applications. Whilst these tools can be helpful, we advise you to first write your application personally and then use AI to refine it. This approach ensures your application remains original and truly reflective of your unique experiences. Last year, we noticed a trend of AI-generated applications lacking individuality, which hindered our ability to connect with applicants. Remember, it's your personal story, passions and motivations that make you stand out. Let AI assist you, but let your own voice lead the way.

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good.    

Last year alone, 14,000 professionals received our training. Over 80,000 adults at risk of serious harm or murder and more than 100,000 children received support through dedicated multi-agency support designed by us and delivered with partners. In the last six years, over 4,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change by interventions we created with partners, and that’s just the start. 

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

About the role

We are looking for a values-led, senior People professional to provide maternity cover for the role of our Senior People & Culture Manager. The successful postholder will be responsible for providing high quality generalist People & Culture services at SafeLives, in conjunction with a People & Culture Officer. The role will oversee the smooth running of key HR operations and will be instrumental in building a culture amongst our employees that reflects our values through the provision of excellent People support.

As part of a small, ambitious team you will provide a range of comprehensive, and customer orientated human resources services which support the implementation of SafeLives’ People & Culture strategy. You will be the lead operational HR professional, supported by the Director of People and Culture on strategic matters and a full- time People & Culture Officer on transactional matters, and access to external legal and HR consultancy support when needed. There will be a strong focus on supporting the embedding and development of our culture and behaviours; employee engagement; learning and development, and staff well-being across the organisation.

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.

Contract: Fixed term, maternity vover for 9 months.

Location: Remote with occasional travel to London and Bristol offices.

Benefits

• 34 days' holiday incl. public holidays
• Flexible working e.g. compressed hours
• Cycle to work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
• Childcare vouchers
• Employee assistance programme
• Clinical supervision
• Holiday purchase scheme to buy up to an additional 5 days
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Enhanced sick pay
• Professional development fund
• Individual learning budget
• Restorative practice training
• Time off in lieu 

If this challenge sounds as exciting to you as it does to us and you believe you have the qualities we have described, please take a look over the job description and submit a 500-word cover letter and CV.

Closing date: 9.00am on 3rd April 2025. 

SafeLives is a committed provider of equal opportunities for all; please see our job description for full details.

No agencies, please.

Head of Finance

Join an ambitious international non-profit with high growth aspirations for a newly created Head of Finance role!

About the organisation 

The organisation is a small but growing global non-profit with a mission to use the power of education to transform the lives of refugees, their communities and the world.

The organisation has developed the first accredited upper secondary level programme and qualification for out of school refugees and crisis affected youth. They also offer Changemaker Courses in areas such as Peace-building, Ethical Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship.

Working with around 1,500 young refugees a year in learning centres in Jordan and Kenya, as well as with partners in Uganda and Malaysia, the organisation aims to drive systemic change and create lasting impact.

The non-profit was born in 2017 and now has a global and fully remote team of around 25 employees. Predominantly donor funded, with a current turnover of around £900k per annum, the organisation has secured some additional funding which will act as the catalyst for a new exciting phase of growth.

About the role

The organisation is seeking a Head of Finance on a permanent, part-time basis. The Head of Finance is a newly created position as the organisation seeks to create a fully functioning internal finance department as they aim to scale-up operations over the coming years.

The Head of Finance will play a transformative role in evolving and overseeing all financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, and strategic financial planning. You will also work closely with the Co-Executive Directors, senior leadership team, board of trustees and newly created finance committee to support the organisation’s mission and objectives by providing financial insights and guidance.

Your responsibilities will include preparing financial statements, managing donor funds, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and grant requirements in the UK and internationally, as well as developing and leading a brand-new finance team.

 The role will be highly varied and would best suit someone who is passionate about international development and education, with a growth-mindset and a diverse range of finance skills. Additional duties may include developing financial pricing models and assisting with fundraising proposals.

The organisation currently uses Xero accounting software, with a payroll of 6 salaried employees plus a number of internationally based consultants.

The role is offered on a permanent, part-time basis for 4 days per week. The salary offered is £62,500 - £68,750 per annum FTE (£50,000- £55,000 for 4 days / 0.8 FTE) for UK based candidates. For candidates based outside of the UK, salary will be benchmarked against local context.

The role is fully remote, preferably within a time zone GMT +/- 3 hours. Benefits include a flexible time off policy, parental leave, flexible working & access to a wide variety of courses through Develop, an online training platform.

Key Requirements

● Fully-qualified ACA, CIMA or ACCA accountant or equivalent experience (or equivalent qualifications/experience if outside of the UK)

● Proven experience in a senior financial management role within the non-profit sector, ideally within international development

● Strong understanding of charity accounting principles, charity regulations, and grant compliance, including SORP and restricted fund accounting

● Expertise in financial planning, modelling, analysis, budgeting, and forecasting

● Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively convey complex financial information

● Leadership abilities to manage and motivate a finance team

The role would be best suited to someone who is committed to making a difference to the lives of young refugees, with a strong grounding in charity sector accounting and international donor funding.

How to apply

Please reply to this advert with your CV or contact Jamie at Marble Mayne for a further discussion on the full application process.

Key dates

Closing date: Tuesday 25th March at 5pm

1st stage interviews: 1st & 2nd April - remote

Final interviews: 7th April – ideally in person in London, however remote interviews will be considered.

Head of People and Culture

Location: UK-based / Hybrid

Permanent

37 hours per week

Job Overview
National Energy Action (NEA) is seeking a dynamic Head of People and Culture to develop a positive, inclusive work environment where colleagues feel supported, engaged, and empowered to perform at their best to help the millions of vulnerable people who are facing sky high energy bills.

Responsibilities

Reporting into the Deputy Chief Executive, and working with the leadership team, you will foster strong employee relations and well-aligned policies to indirectly enhance the quality of services provided to our beneficiaries. Embedding our values and behaviours, ensuring legal compliance, and promoting inclusion and diversity, you will facilitate a workplace that better reflects and serves the diverse communities NEA supports.

Why National Energy Action?

It is a key time for the charity as the energy crisis highlighted the importance of the work we do - on the ground and with government. And, over the coming years the drive towards a net zero carbon future could help to eradicate fuel poverty across the UK.

We provide a flexible and supportive working environment. You are likely to work from one of our offices, but we are a geographically dispersed organisation, and you may be based elsewhere. Wherever you are, you will make a huge difference for colleagues who are helping people forced to live in cold and damp homes.

NEA is changing how we work in lots of different ways. We are developing a new values and behaviours framework to help drive the future direction of the charity, including as an employer. This is an exciting period in the charity’s life and the Head of People and Culture will be a critical part of this journey.

About you:

You will want to make an impact. You will want to be part of a passionate team. You will be motivated by working in a values-driven organisation. You will want to help NEA be an exemplary employer. You will share our passion for creating big change so that everyone can afford to keep their homes warm and safe.

You will have had significant experience working within a motivated and mission-led environment, possibly but not essentially, in another charitable organisation. You will have experience in inclusion, organisation reporting and change management.

We are committed to improving our approach to diversity and inclusion and as a senior leader and member of the Directors team, you will be a champion of our work in this area. For this role we would strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, in particular people of colour and disabled people.

NEA's headquarters are in Newcastle upon Tyne, although we have other offices within the UK. We anticipate the post will be based in one of our offices for at least one day each week.

Hybrid working is subject to necessary H&S and GDPR checks.

Post holders must be resident within the UK and be able to provide their Right to Work in the UK.

We are offering:

£57,576 – £61,461 – (plus £3,300 London Weighting if applicable). New appointments are usually made at the starting point of the scale.

• 11½% non-contributory pension.
• 25 days annual leave plus 3 additional days in between Christmas New Year Period when our offices close; plus, all public holidays per annum for full time staff, pro-rata for part time staff.
• Flexible working arrangements including the opportunity for Hybrid working.
• Enhanced family friendly payments.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee benefits platform.