Job Purpose
To provide strong leadership and direction which enables Firsthand Lothian to achieve its strategic aims and objectives. A key responsibility will be identifying and securing sources of funding to sustain the continued operation of Firsthand Lothian. The CEO will also be responsible for developing services to meet family needs and funding availability.
Other responsibilities include financial planning and management and reporting to funders, managing staff and ensuring that feedback from service users is incorporated into service development.
The CEO reports to the Management Committee and will be line managed by a named representative of the Committee
DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Management of Income Generation
· Responsible for the developing and implementing a fundraising strategy and ensuring plans for sustainable income
· Responsible for the development and management of annual income targets
· Responsible for securing income from charitable trusts and foundations
· Responsible for ensuring delivery of projects is in line with activities funded and that information relating to outcomes, participants etc is collated for reporting.
· Responsible for meeting the funding requirements of trusts and foundations who fund projects, including submitting grant reports timeously.
Financial Planning & Management
· Responsible for developing and implementing the annual budgets as agreed by the Management Committee
· Responsible for ensuring that resources are invested appropriately
· Responsible for day-to-day management of finances
· Responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices including the preparation of annual accounts for independent examination / audit
· Responsible for finalising the end of year accounts in conjunction with the Treasurer
· In conjunction with the Chair of the Management Committee, producing the Trustees report for inclusion with the annual accounts.
· Writing the Annual Report
· Acting as main signatory for financial expenditure
· Liaising closely with the freelance Finance and Fundraising Post holder and ensuring monthly management accounts are accurately produced.
Management of service delivery
· Responsible for the management, delivery and quality of services delivered to children, young people, families and parent / carers.
· Responsible for ensuring service provision is regularly reviewed and, taking into consideration direct feedback gathered, continuously improve services in partnership with staff, volunteers and those who access Firsthand Lothian’s services.
· Responsible for ensuring that services are delivered in a cost-effective manner and within the constraints of the annual budget
· Ensure qualitative and quantitive data is collected about the services delivered and their impact on service users, and communicate this to the Management Committee, funders and partners as appropriate.
· Responsible for reviewing and ensuring Safeguarding practice, policy and reporting is to the highest standard at all times.
HR Management
· Responsible for the recruitment, employment and release of staff
· Responsible for ensuring that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held and that sound human resource practices are in place for all staff
· Responsible for the day-to-day management of all staff
· Responsible for developing and reviewing HR policies and ensuring that the organisation complies with HR legislation
· Ensure IIV (Investing in Volunteering ) Standards are applied and maintained.
· Responsible for ensuring that staff training and development opportunities are supported
· Responsible for ensuring payroll is carried out accurately in conjunction with the freelance Finance and Fundraising Post holder.
Governance and Administration
· Engaging constructively with the Management Committee on the development and delivery of strategic and financial plans
· Providing regular and annual reports to the Management Committee
· Attending evening Management Committee meetings both in person at the office and on Zoom 6 to 8 time over the year.
· Ensuring compliance with OSCR requirements, providing accurate information to them within timescales dictated.
· As Company Secretary ensure compliance with Companies House requirements including ensuring details of directors kept up to date and organising the AGM etc
· Responsible for preparing and providing all relevant information required for end of year accounting
· Responsible for writing and disseminating the annual report
· Ensuring that policies and procedures are developed and implemented as required
· Ensuring activities comply with relevant legislation
· Ensuring appropriate systems are in place to enable accurate record keeping
Strategic Development
· To take a lead role in the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan, reporting on progress on a regular basis to the Management Committee.
· Responsible for developing and managing positive working relationships and partnerships with other voluntary and professional bodies.
· Consulting and engaging service users in the delivery, design and development of services
· Responsible for developing positive and productive relationships with external stakeholders including City of Edinburgh Council
· Ensuring policies and procedures are regularly reviewed, updated, understood and adhered to by all staff and volunteers.
· Ensuring IT and other resources are deployed effectively
· Ensuring that the Management Committee, staff, volunteers and external stakeholders are regularly updated on the work carried out and successes.
· Ensuring the aims and objectives and ethos of Firsthand Lothian is communicated clearly to staff, volunteers, stakeholders and people who access services.
PR/Communications & IT
· Responsible for ensuring that all external communications are up to date in an appropriate manner (including the website and Social media)
· Promote Firsthand Lothian’s activities locally and nationally including attending and presenting at conferences and meetings as necessary.
· Attend and contribute to a range of local network meetings relevant to the work of Firsthand Lothian
· Act as spokesperson for the organisation to the general public, media and other external organisations
· Responsible for ensuring staff have the necessary skills and training to operate the IT packages.
· Liaising effectively with provider of IT support services
Person Specification
Essential
1. Experience
:
· Management: a minimum of 5 years senior management experience including responsibility for staffing and finance.
· Funding:: experience of writing successful funding applications and reporting to grant and trust and statutory funders
· Service delivery: service design and delivery to people.
· Strategic Planning: experience of strategic planning and reporting
· Monitoring and evaluation: experience of developing and implementing systems
2. Legal / employability requirements
· Be able to prove eligibility to work in the UK. We regret that Firsthand Lothian is not able to sponsor a Skilled Worker Visa.
· Be able to obtain satisfactory PVG scheme membership and be the Lead Counter signatory for PVG applications for the organisation.
Be deemed a fit and proper person to hold a senior role in a charity as per OSCR and Company House requirements
· Be able to provide 2 satisfactory employment references
3. Knowledge
· Funding: an understanding of the current funding environment:- both the public sector and the charitable funding environment.
· Financial understanding: ability to understand, set and manage annual budgets, management accounts, annual accounts and financial monitoring processes.
4. Personal skills
· Leadership: ability to provide leadership in a challenging environment and to work effectively with stakeholders, committee members, staff and volunteers.
· Negotiation skills: ability to negotiate effectively with funders and prospective partners.
· Communication: excellent verbal and written communication skills internally and externally
· Value base: A commitment to the agreed values of the organisation, including the involvement of service users in service development.
· Resilience: An ability to cope effectively with change and with pressure.
· IT: competent in use of Word and Excel and other Microsoft Office packages and knowledge of SharePoint.
Desirable
Experience:
· A relevant professional qualification
· Relevant experience of developing new services or products including their resourcing
· Management within the voluntary sector
· Working with a Management committee
· Partnership working between voluntary, public sector and private sector organisations.
Knowledge:
· Understanding of relevant services for families in the statutory and voluntary sector.
Personal skills:
· Creativity and resourcefulness
Terms and Conditions
1. Period of appointment: The appointment is a permanent one.
2. Confirmation of appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period and satisfactory PVG scheme membership.
3. Salary: £46,000 TO £49,000 dependent on skills and experience.
4. Hours of work: 35 hours weekly, over 5 days, with some evenings to attend Management Committee meetings which are held 6 – 8 times a year from 7pm to 9pm
5. Holidays: Holidays are 25 working days, 10 Public holidays rising to a total of 38 days after the completion of 5 years’ service
6. Pension: Once the appointment has been confirmed you are eligible to join the Employer's Pension. If you choose to join the pensions scheme Firsthand Lothian will contribute 7% of your salary and you must contribute a minimum of 3%.
7. Training and Support and Supervision: You will receive induction training and frequent support in the first six months from your designated Committee member and thereafter regular support and supervision from this person.
8. Equal Opportunities and Family Friendly employment: Firsthand Lothian aims to be an equal opportunities and family friendly employer.
Recruitment timetable:
Closing Date: 5pm Monday 10th March 2025
Short-listing: 11/12th March 25
Interviews: Monday 31st March 2025