Advertised from 5 May 2025

Role

Fostering Compassion is a groundbreaking humane education project for vulnerable children who may be showing worrying behaviour towards animals or are struggling with compassion and empathy in general. Unique in our approach, our activities share the stories of rescued animals in a way that the children draw parallels between their circumstances and the animals, helping them see animals as sentient beings sharing similar emotions to them. Through sharing the animals’ stories, the children gain a greater understanding of their circumstances, providing a platform for them to open up about their own abuse and neglect, encouraging healing. We work to address the links between animal abuse, child abuse, elder abuse and interpersonal violence. 

We are looking to recruit a Deputy Chief Executive Officer to assist and work alongside the CEO to provide strategic leadership for Fostering Compassion, ensuring that our services are delivered to the highest standards of quality and performance, fulfilling our mission and core values, leading by example. 

You will support the CEO in acting as the ‘face’ of the organisation, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, donors and service users and providing direct management for the Volunteer Development Officer and the Fundraising Development Coordinator.

You will assist the CEO with the ongoing growth, development and expansion of Fostering Compassion to ensure longterm sustainability.

Responsibilities and Duties: Under guidance, the person in this role will

• Provide support to and work alongside the CEO preparing strategic plans and budgets
• Preparing and presenting (as required) Board papers and reports to enable the Board to effectively govern the Charity. To report and contribute to the Board of Trustees and CEO as appropriate.
• In conjunction with the CEO, oversee and Support the Volunteer Development Officer and Fundraising Development Co-ordinator 
• Expand Supporter Base and assist with Development Plans
• Assist with development and delivery of services to a high standard
• Assist with Payroll and Staff assessments
• Assist with support and needs of Service Users and Event planning and execution
• Nurture and develop Community Relations and Partnerships
• Assist with identifying funding bodies
• Assist with Social Media and Website maintenance
• Liaise with the CEO regarding the overall financial arrangements of the Charity, ensuring relevant budgets are adhered to
• Contribute to strategic discussions
• Ensure that the gathering of performance data from services is consolidated into collective reports as required
• Ensure policies and procedures are up to date
• Ensure that disputes and complaints are dealt with quickly and effectively.
• Carry out other tasks and responsibilities of any nature as determined from time to time by the CEO, to ensure the effective management of the Charity.

Report to: The CEO. They are expected to work as part of a team but also be able to act on their own initiative

Work Hours: 70 hours per month. Work pattern flexible by agreement (some weekend work may be required. FTE £36,400)

Remuneration: £20 per hour (gross)

Location: Office based at our premises in Ormiston

Probationary period: 3 months

Requirements and skills

Essential:

• Proven experience in a similar position at Management level
• Sound knowledge of the not-for-profit sector and Charity Governance ideally including experience of Financial planning, Human Relations management, Organisational development and managing change
• Ability to work closely with the CEO while also working on your own initiative
• Have a demonstrable understanding of financial management, including budgeting and forecasting
• Have the ability to lead by example and display the personal drive, energy and coordination skills required to motivate staff and volunteers while working with them as part of a successful and established team
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills able to effectively promote the charity, its values, mission and ethos to stakeholders, funders and service users
• The ability to ensure that organisational change is managed in a restorative and positive manner, providing direction and leadership to staff and volunteers as appropriate while motivating and inspiring
• To provide cover for the CEO during absence and leave.
• Working knowledge of databases and MS Office (especially Excel)
• Knowledge and understanding of data protection, disclosure and safeguarding procedures
• Knowledge and experience of and with Social Media platforms
• A pleasant, outgoing personality
• Must love animals

Preferable:

• Knowledge of the Link 
• Knowledge of the Human-Animal Bond
• Event management skills
• General Fundraising Skills
• Creativity

We are open minded about getting the right person for the position so even if you don’t feel you meet all the essential criteria, you may still want to apply.

Note: As part of the interview process we will be asking candidates to deliver a 5 minute presentation outlining their ideas for the growth and expansion of the charity to ensure long term success and sistainability.

Application notes

Please send CV to Fostering Compassion, 1d Cockburn Halls, Ormiston, East Lothian, EH35 5JB or email to lesley@fosteringcompassion.org

Closing Date: 30th June 2025

Note: Interviews will take place on the 15th and 17th July 2025