Charity Jobs In Scotland

Charity work can be a real feel-good factor, it is great to help others and make a real difference. But just because you are giving your time free, it doesn’t mean it’s an easy job. Most charitable or not-for-profit companies rely on volunteers for core skills such as Retail, Marketing, PR and Finance as they cannot afford to buy in the expertise.

There are approximately 45,000 voluntary organisations in Scotland employing 137,000 staff (93,000 FTE). During 2008-09, 1.2m adults (28%) in Scotland volunteered. Many people volunteer to assist with Social Change in their community.

Information about the Charitable Sector:

  • The sector’s turnover in 2010 was £4.4billion

  • There are 45,000 voluntary organisations in Scotland, half of which are registered charities

  • The sector employs 137,000 people

  • 1.2m adults in Scotland volunteered in 2009

  • In 2009 the sector were custodians of £9.2billion worth of assets

  • In 2009 the sector generated £4.4 billion for the Scottish economy

  • At 45%, self-generated funding made up the largest share of total income

Source: http://www.scvo.org.uk

In 2008-09, the shift from grant funding (26%) towards contracts (23%). We recommend that when looking for work, you are open-minded about contract work, instead of only applying for permanent full-time jobs.

The sector’s overall income has continued to grow. In 2008-09, total annual income was £4.36 billion, up from £4.07 billion in 2007-08, an increase of 7.3%4. Expenditure for the period was £4.24 billion. A healthy gap between income and expenditure

is vital to ensure the sustainability of voluntary sector services in the light of future funding uncertainties. In 2008-09, the gap between income and expenditure was £123 million or 2.8% of total income. Around half (51%) of expenditure went towards staffing costs.

Source: http://www.scvo.org.uk

If you are looking for a job / contract in the Charitable sector, you can expect to see these types of charity jobs advertised;

  • Administrative Assistant

  • Cashier

  • Cleaner

  • Event Co-ordinator

  • Finance

  • Marketing

  • Operations

  • Personal Assistant

  • PR

  • Retail Assistant

To succeed in this industry, you should be passionate about the company you represent and work for. To make a difference in a company where funds are limited is truly incredible. Everyone has the same aims and goals, striving towards things like raising awareness, raising money for a cause, widening beliefs about a topic that is important to them.

Whatever skill you have, there will be a not-for-profit or charitable organisation that would, no doubt, appreciate to have you on-board. You need to be reliable and someone that they can count on to be part of their team and part of their social change.

Additionally, if you have limited working experience, offering your skills and time pro-bono can allow you to gain valuable employable skills. Use your time wisely, gain as many skills as you can, proving that you are a credible, hardworking individual. Always ask for a working reference, in return for your time and effort. This is a very pro-active way to secure employment in the future, and shows a future employer that you take work seriously.

Focus on the contacts that you can make when doing voluntary or charitable work, always present yourself in the best possible way, it is truly amazing how paths cross with people in the future.

LinkedIn now has a section for you to state any charitable work that you have either done in the past, or currently doing. So, take advantage of this and shout about the voluntary work you are doing.

Scottish Jobs On The Net have excellent working relationships with recruitment agencies and employers throughout Scotland, so bookmark this page to ensure you are kept up-to-date with Not-For-Profit and Charitable sector vacancies throughout Scotland.

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